August 22, 1950: Gibson breaks tennis color barrier

On this day in 1950, Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in Grand Slam tennis, receiving an invitation to participate in the U.S. Nationals (the predecessor to the U.S. Open). She would make her debut on August 25 – her 23rd birthday.

Gibson won the French Open in 1956 – the first Grand Slam title for a person of color. She would win 11 Grand Slam titles (five in singles, six in doubles) before turning pro in 1958. (Before the Open Era began in 1968, only amateurs could participate in Grand Slam tournaments, and no prize money was involved.)

A major influence in Gibson’s first appearance was 18-time Grand Slam champion Alice Marble, who wrote a scathing editorial in the July 1, 1950 edition of American Tennis Magazine, in which she tore down the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association’s all-white policy.

In 1964, Gibson also broke the color barrier in the LPGA.

Image: Gibson after becoming the first black person to win at Wimbledon, 1957.