On an unusually cool and crisp August morning, just as play was beginning around the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Day One of the 2019 US Open, a large crowd gathered in the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium for a very special occasion: the unveiling of a statue honoring the pioneering champion Althea Gibson. Gibson, who broke the color barrier in tennis with her debut at the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills in 1950, was the also the first African-American to win a Grand Slam title, taking the crown at Roland Garros in 1956. The following year, she was likewise the first African-American to take the Wimbledon and U.S. titles; a twin-bill that she repeated the following year. Gibson, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 76, will now have a permanent place of honor on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
"Althea Gibson’s talent, strength and unrelenting desire to achieve made her a great champion,” said Patrick Galbraith, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “She made tennis a better place, by opening doors and opening minds, doing so with grace and dignity. She is receiving a recognition she richly deserves.”
“Today, we honor Althea’s journey, we honor her success, we honor her courage,” said former USTA president Katrina Adams, who led the effort to honor Gibson with the sculpture.
“We salute the path that she paved for me and for all other persons of color—including the great Arthur Ashe—by unveiling this incredible monument in the shadow of the stadium that bears his name. Today, we unveil a monument that will honor the courage and commitment of the great Althea Gibson for generations to come.”
“Welcome home Althea Gibson,” said Billie Jean King, another featured speaker in the ceremony. “A lot of us have waited a long time for today to happen We’ve finally gotten over the finish line
“She was beautiful and graceful and intimidating all at the same time on the court,” King added. “When she came to net she was very intimidating. I’ve said to Venus [Williams], she was like a 21st century Althea. “
The sculpture, created by artist Eric Goulder, also will activate an augmented reality experience. Developed by MRM/McCann, visitors will be able to activate exclusive content about Althea Gibson’s life and legacy by focusing the Augmented Reality (AR) Viewfinder found within the 2019 US Open app onto the sculpture. Narrated by Billie Jean King, the additional AR experience traces Althea’s humble roots, her early interest and involvement in tennis, her career and her legacy through video footage, photos and graphics. Fans can also view the AR experience anywhere by using the APP to place a full-size 3D “hologram” of the sculpture into their surroundings and re-live the experience again or for the very first time.component that brings Gibson's life and career to life for fans on site during the Open via the US Open mobile app.
Angela Buxton, Gibson's former doubles partner, also shared some poignant memories of her long-time friend. “We won both the French and Wimbledon doubles together with my arm around her both times at the closing ceremonies,” noted Gibson’s former doubles partner Angela Buxton during the ceremony. “she slowly became the Jackie Robinson of tennis and I was soon referred to as the Pee Wee Reese, who without saying a word indicated, “This is my friend.”
