Althea Gibson’s legacy is unmistakable on the 2025 US Open.
On Wednesday, August 27, the tribute to the late skilled tennis star crescendoed with a stirring efficiency by Florida A&M College’s famed Marching 100, celebrating their alumna in high-stepping fashion, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
It was one spotlight in a two-week celebration of the enduring participant who broke obstacles 75 years in the past as the primary Black participant in what’s now often known as the US Open. The tributes have included Gibson’s picture displayed all through the stadium, a particular event emblem marking “75 Years of Breaking Obstacles,” and brief movies about her profession narrated by Venus Williams that air between matches.
“A very powerful half is that we’re celebrating it and recognizing it as a result of Althea achieved a lot,” Williams mentioned, per AP Information. “Lots of it has not been given the credit score it deserves and the eye and the reward.”
Talking to the identical outlet, fellow tennis champ Billie Jean King added, “Personally, I really feel like all people’s waited too lengthy to actually have fun her.”
She added, “She was the primary, and while you’re the primary, you need to be celebrated probably the most.”
Gibson, born to sharecroppers in South Carolina earlier than relocating to Harlem, was greater than a champion; she was a trailblazer. After changing into the primary Black participant to compete in what’s now thought-about the US Open in 1950, she gained 11 Grand Slam titles, together with back-to-back victories at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals in 1957 and 1958.
Her victories didn’t cease on the tennis courtroom. Later, she grew to become the primary Black competitor on the Women Skilled Golf Affiliation Tour. Her influence prolonged past sports activities into music and movie, although her story too typically slipped from the highlight.
Immediately, her affect is alive within the many Black ladies who’ve picked up rackets since her reign. From family names like Williams or Coco Gauff to rising stars like Taylor Townsend and Hailey Baptiste, their presence underscores Gibson’s lasting legacy.
Beneath, we break down every Black feminine participant at this yr’s US Open, the place they stand, what’s subsequent, and why they’re making headlines.
Venus Williams
At 45, many followers have been excited to witness Venus return for a record-extending twenty fifth US Open. Nevertheless, her first-round defeat by Karolína Muchová (6-3, 2-6, 6-1) didn’t dim her second. The gang roared merely to see her again after 16 months away. Off the courtroom, the thrill has remained about her fiancé, Andrea Preti, whose enthusiastic cheering turned their love story right into a courtside subplot.
Victoria Mboko
The 19-year-old Canadian phenom got here in using excessive, recent off a shocking title in Montréal, the place she toppled 4 Grand Slam champions. New York wasn’t as profitable; she bowed out within the first spherical to Barbora Krejčíková, 6-3, 6-2. Nonetheless, Mboko’s fearless fashion and fast-rising rating (No. 23) hold her within the dialog as one of many sport’s subsequent massive names.
Hailey Baptiste
At age 23 and ranked No. 47, Baptiste is having a breakout second. She dealt with her opener towards Kateřina Siniaková in straight units (7-5, 6-3), establishing a blockbuster second-round conflict with Naomi Osaka. Whereas Osaka was the victor, Baptiste is taking part in herself into the highlight.
Naomi Osaka
All the time half tennis star, all the time half trend occasion. Osaka began her marketing campaign taking part in for Japan robust with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgium’s Greet Minnen. However it wasn’t the forehands that dominated headlines; it was her look. The 27-year-old stepped onto the courtroom wearing a pink, crystal-studded skirt set with an identical jacket, Swarovski crystal-studded rose-adorned braids and headphones, and a bejeweled Labubu keychain swinging from her bag. Osaka is again, and she or he’s glowing, actually.
Coco Gauff
Gauff, the No. 3 seed recent off her French Open victory, survived a nervy, first-round conflict with Ajla Tomljanović, finally pulling out a 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 win. Subsequent up, the 21-year-old faces Donna Vekić. Already a US Open champion in 2023, she’s right here to show once more she will deal with the load of being the face of the event.
Taylor Townsend
Ranked world No. 1 in ladies’s doubles and all the time a risk in singles, Townsend made noise with a fiery second-round upset of No. 25 seed Jelena Ostapenko. The true fireworks got here after, nonetheless, when Ostapenko accused the 29-year-old of getting “no class and no schooling.” Then, with a smile whereas discussing the matter later, she reminded everybody, “The factor I’m most happy with is that I let my racket discuss.” She’ll meet No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva within the third spherical, with loads of momentum and a rising new legion of followers.
