The United States Tennis Association today announced plans for a statue to commemorate tennis legend and American pioneer Althea Gibson on the grounds of the US Open.
Gibson became the first African-American to win the US Nationals, the pre-cursor to the US Open, when she won the women’s singles championship in 1957. She repeated the feat in 1958. Overall, she won a combined eleven Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles play during her Hall of Fame career.
Gibson won singles titles at Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, where she was the first black champion in the tournament’s history, as well as Roland Garros in 1956.
“It’s simple. She’s the Jackie Robinson of tennis; she deserves it,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams in a statement provided by the USTA. “By breaking the color barrier, she made it possible for every person of color after her to have a chance to achieve their goals in the sport.”
The USTA unveiled a statue of Arthur Ashe in August 2000, which sits at the site's South Plaza on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Gibson statue will be the second statue to commemorate a groundbreaking tennis icon and will be the third American tennis legend honored at the site, joining Ashe and Billie Jean King, for whom the tennis center was rededicated on August 28, 2006.
“Althea Gibson is an American treasure and one of my most important heroes, and I am thrilled she will finally be honored at the National Tennis Center,” said Billie Jean King in a statement. “Through tennis she opened the doors for future generations – men and women of all backgrounds – to have a chance to compete and make a living playing professional tennis. Our sport owes a great deal to Althea and it is my hope that the children of today and tomorrow will learn more about her and be inspired by her.”
There is no strict timetable for the completion of the statue as of yet.