Before Serena, before Venus, before Coco—there was Althea Gibson. On July 6th, 1957, under a blazing London sun and in front of royalty, she became the first Black player to win Wimbledon. But her path to Center Court was anything but easy.
In this episode, we step away from the track to witness one of tennis history’s most pivotal moments:
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Althea’s journey from Harlem’s paddle tennis courts to breaking racial barriers in elite tennis.
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The significance of becoming the first African American to compete in the U.S. National Championships.
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How her 1956 French Open win set the stage for Wimbledon glory.
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The straight-sets victory over Darlene Hard—and the iconic moment when Queen Elizabeth II presented her with the trophy.
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The lasting legacy Gibson left for players like Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams, and Coco Gauff.
This is more than a sports story—it’s a testament to resilience, trailblazing spirit, and redefining what’s possible.