People thought I was ruthless, which I was. I didn't give a darn who was on the other side of the net. I'd knock you down if you got in my way. - Althea Gibson

About Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson (August 25, 1927 – September 28, 2003) was an American tennis player and professional golfer. She was also one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. She won both the Wimbledon Championships and the US Nationals in 1957 and in 1958. She was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. In the early 1960s she also became the first Black player to compete on the Women's Professional Golf Tour.

Also Known As