K5201

Black Heritage

Althea Gibson - Tennis Player

Collins Cover Announcement 

Althea Gibson

"One of the greatest players who ever lived"

Black Heritage Series

Althea was the first black athlete of either _gender to compete in international tennis. She was a superb American player and in 1956 became the first black to win a Grand Slam title in the French Open. In 1957 she won singles titles at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the U.S. Open. In 1958 she again won the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.

Her doubles play was equally impressive. Her Grand Slam tennis championships included the French Open and Wimbledon in 1956; the U.S. Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon in 1957; and Wimbledon again in 1958. Althea was honored by being inducted into both the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately this time period was before there was any money being earned in tennis, and Gibson was forced to retire by her own precarious financial situation. In 1964 at the age of 37 she became the first African-American to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour.

This phenomenal star was 40 to 50 years before her time in the world of tennis. Robert Ryland, former coach of the Williams sisters, asserted that "she is one of the greatest players who ever lived. Martina couldn't touch her. I think she'd beat Venus and Serena." My hand painted cachet shows her at the net as well as a portrait of her during the glory years. In the words of Billie Jean King, she was "an inspiration to everyone" and by her record she was one of the all-time best. Tennis legend Althea Gibson is now ready. Collins #K5201 at $14.00.