On what would've been her 97th birthday, the tennis legend Althea Gibson was honored Sunday with a special tribute at the US Open.
To also commemorate the fifth anniversary of when the statue that pays tribute to Gibson was first unveiled on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Cetner, youth from the National Dance Institute, a Harlem-based nonprofit that seeks to foster a love of the arts and education in children, performed on the Fountain Plaza Stage. Michelle Curry, the administrator of Althea Gibson’s estate and chief operating officer of the Althea Gibson Community Tennis Association, along with former USTA President Katrina Adams also delivered remarks highlighting Gibson's impact, influence, and legacy.
Gibson famously broke tennis' color barrier in 1950, and six years later, became the first Black player to win a major singles title with her victory at the French Championships (now called Roland Garros). She twice won the U.S. Championships, the precursor to the modern-day US Open, in 1957 and 1958.
"For us to be here ... to really talk about Althea Gibson's legacy, and to commemorate the fifth anniversary of her statue unveiling, I'm honored to be here today," Adams, who was a former Top 10 player in doubles, said.
"I feel that if it had not been for Althea, and the courage, grace and athleticism that she had on the court, to be successful, I might not have had the opportunities to do what I've done."
Curry inherited her position from her aunt, Frances Clayton Gray, who was Gibson's original executor. In her remarks, she thanked Adams for dedication and passion she showed in teaming with her aunt to have Gibson's statue on the US Open grounds.
But there is more to come: Next year, tennis will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Gibson's historic milestone, and Curry says that the goal of the organization that bears Gibson's name is "to make sure that [her] legacy continues," and "that everyone understands the value of history, and knowing what [others] have done for you to open the door."
A member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame, Gibson passed away in 2003. She was also the first Black player to compete on what is now the modern-LPGA Tour.
Fans looking to see the Gibson statue for themselves can visit it adjacent to Arthur Ashe Stadium on the Flushing Meadows grounds.
