+ azdr0710 Posted July 6, 2022 Share Posted July 6, 2022 Althea Gibson.....(Arthur Ashe would be the first Black male singles champ in 1975) https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/althea-gibson-is-first-african-american-to-win-wimbledon + WilliamM, + sync, thomas and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSR Posted July 7, 2022 Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) Althea Gibson was a great champion who was born in the wrong time. Despite 5 Slam singles titles, Gibson was denied many opportunities due to racial discrimination. She ended up giving up on pro tennis because too many doors were closed to her. Contrast that to today, when Coco Gauff was reportedly earning $1 million a year at 15yo even before her big breakthrough win, upsetting Venus Williams in the 1st round of Wimbledon 2019. Gibson suffered serious financial hardship in the 1980s due to some major medical expenses. The tennis community rallied behind her and donated almost a $million to help her out. I heard that Venus and Serena quietly gave her money so that she could live out her final years in dignity. Edited July 8, 2022 by BSR Typo mike carey, thomas, + WilliamM and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike carey Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 It's worth noting that a second black woman would win a Wimbledon singles title before Arthur Ashe won his in 1975. Evonne Goolagong won the ladies' singles in 1971. + Charlie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ Charlie Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 9 hours ago, mike carey said: It's worth noting that a second black woman would win a Wimbledon singles title before Arthur Ashe won his in 1975. Evonne Goolagong won the ladies' singles in 1971. And Goolagong was Ash Barty's model. mike carey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike carey Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 21 hours ago, Charlie said: And Goolagong was Ash Barty's model. Indeed, down to the dress she wore in the final last year. Ash also identifies as being indigenous. + Charlie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ Charlie Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 One might note that Goolagong was also a mother when she won. mike carey and Njguy2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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