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Born to Win, The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson.
On Althea Gibson, America's first African American tennis champion:
"I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis. She knocked down walls that gave us more freedom to concentrate on the game. . . . Althea's accomplishments set the stage for my success, but she also made a difference for people of all backgrounds in all areas. Through beneficiaries like me, Serena, and many others to come, her legacy will live on."
-Venus Williams
"She just meant so much to me. I've always felt connected to her and thankful and grateful for what she's done for people of color and me."
-Billie Jean King
"Althea built many bridges over her seventy-six years on this earth to ease our crossing. . . . She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept her faith, and she can rest-game, set, and match."
-David Dinkins
former mayor of New York City
"It was the quiet dignity with which Althea carried herself during the turbulent days of the 1950s that was truly remarkable. . . . When she began playing, less than five percent of tennis newcomers were minorities. Today, some thirty percent are minorities, two-thirds of whom are African American. This is her legacy."
-Alan Schwartz
President, U.S. Tennis Association
"I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis. She knocked down walls that gave us more freedom to concentrate on the game. . . . Althea's accomplishments set the stage for my success, but she also made a difference for people of all backgrounds in all areas. Through beneficiaries like me, Serena, and many others to come, her legacy will live on."
-Venus Williams
"She just meant so much to me. I've always felt connected to her and thankful and grateful for what she's done for people of color and me."
-Billie Jean King
"Althea built many bridges over her seventy-six years on this earth to ease our crossing. . . . She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept her faith, and she can rest-game, set, and match."
-David Dinkins
former mayor of New York City
"It was the quiet dignity with which Althea carried herself during the turbulent days of the 1950s that was truly remarkable. . . . When she began playing, less than five percent of tennis newcomers were minorities. Today, some thirty percent are minorities, two-thirds of whom are African American. This is her legacy."
-Alan Schwartz
President, U.S. Tennis Association
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 21, 2022
As an avid tennis fan I had no idea how much I didn’t know about Althea Gibson. I knew her name of course but nothing about her life and her rise to athletic heights against all the odds. This book has filled in many of those areas for me.
Althea never wanted to be known as a Negro athlete, just an athlete, and an athlete that accomplished what was not even supposed to be possible for people like her – especially a woman.
Even well into the 1960’s long after slavery was abolished racism was still very much alive and well and Althea had to take it and suck it up. The fact that she had over and over proved her skill in tennis and later in golf didn’t give her a pass.
Althea also sang and played the saxophone. She made an LP album and you can hear her singing on YouTube “So Much to Live For”.
Even after she did not play competitive sports any longer she remained a great proponent for physical fitness.
For the trail blazer that she was this one paragraph explains society’s mores:
“The last time Althea visited the U.S.Open, she tried to treat an old tennis buddy to lunch. However, she didn’t have a reservation. She didn’t get a seat. She wasn’t asked to wait. She wasn’t recognized as one of its own, a two-time champion and Hall of Famer.” (Pg.207)
Shame on us!
Althea never wanted to be known as a Negro athlete, just an athlete, and an athlete that accomplished what was not even supposed to be possible for people like her – especially a woman.
Even well into the 1960’s long after slavery was abolished racism was still very much alive and well and Althea had to take it and suck it up. The fact that she had over and over proved her skill in tennis and later in golf didn’t give her a pass.
Althea also sang and played the saxophone. She made an LP album and you can hear her singing on YouTube “So Much to Live For”.
Even after she did not play competitive sports any longer she remained a great proponent for physical fitness.
For the trail blazer that she was this one paragraph explains society’s mores:
“The last time Althea visited the U.S.Open, she tried to treat an old tennis buddy to lunch. However, she didn’t have a reservation. She didn’t get a seat. She wasn’t asked to wait. She wasn’t recognized as one of its own, a two-time champion and Hall of Famer.” (Pg.207)
Shame on us!
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May 22, 2009I co-authored this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews