Althea Gibson First Champion Tennis Player 1950s Black and White Real Photo Postcard

Althea Gibson (1927-2003) was a pioneering American tennis player who broke racial barriers in the sport during the mid-20th century. Her entry into major tournaments marked a pivotal moment, as she became the first African American to compete at the U.S. National Championships (now the US Open) in 1950 and at Wimbledon in 1951, challenging the segregated landscape of professional sports.