A general view of the Althea Gibson statue outside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2024 US Open on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, in Flushing, NY. | David Nemec/USTA
FLUSHING, NY—On her 97th birthday, the US Open celebrated tennis legend Althea Gibson with a tribute on the Fan Week stage at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Gibson broke the color barrier in tennis in 1950. She became the first African American to compete in the US National Championships and won 11 major singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles.
It was a simple commemoration of Gibson’s birthday and the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of her statue outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium. It included a special dance performance by youth from the National Dance Institute. Michelle Curry, the administrator of Gibson’s estate and chief operating officer of the Althea Gibson Community Tennis Association, and former USTA President Katrina Adams delivered remarks about the tennis legend.
–-With Ricky Rillera/PDM
