Seventy-five years ago, when Althea Gibson stepped onto the court in Forest Hills, N.Y., she transformed the game of tennis, paving the way for countless players who weren't given a clear path. Her courage and perseverance inspired the theme for the 2025 US Open, “Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers,” in honor of Althea Gibson breaking tennis’ color barrier at the 1950 U.S. National Championships.
Illuminating this year’s theme is the deeply powerful and dynamic theme art – a layered, silhouette profile of Gibson, incorporating iconic symbols emblematic of the US Open – created by Melissa Koby, the first Black theme artist in US Open history.
“Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers” will commemorate Gibson, her legacy and the future generations of barrier breakers she inspired. The theme will be championed throughout the full three weeks of the 2025 US Open, which runs August 18-September 7. A centerpiece moment will be a tribute to Gibson inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, August 24, the start of the Men’s and Women’s Singles Main Draws.
"The USTA and the US Open are incredibly proud and humbled to be able to celebrate Althea Gibson – a universal inspiration and one of our game's foremost pioneers – on the 75th anniversary of her changing the game forever,” said Stacey Allaster, US Open Tournament Director and Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA. “The character and the courage she displayed at the 1950 U.S. National Championships changed the course of history and created a legacy that helped make the US Open what it is today – truly ‘Open for All.’ On the 75th anniversary of that watershed moment, we celebrate Althea, the barriers she broke and the legacy she inspired.”
The theme art was created by combining and layering images of stencil- and laser-cut paper, resulting in a piece that evokes a natural emotion with its depth. The layered style is signature to Koby, a resident of Tampa, Fla., whose resume as an artist and illustrator includes an impressive list of high-profile brand collaborations.
"I wanted to create a piece that represents Althea as uniquely and beautifully as she deserves and also inspires a deep connection of representation with anyone who sees it,” Koby said. “Whether it be the layer of her playing tennis for an avid tennis-lover, or somebody who has ties to Arthur Ashe Stadium, or somebody who just loves really strong women in sports – I wanted to make sure that in having the honor and privilege of representing Althea for the US Open, I created a piece in which everyone can find a deep connection with her but also within themselves.”
Posters of the theme art are available for purchase via USOpen.org.
