2025 US Open a celebration of Althea Gibson

On the day Althea Gibson made her U.S. National Championships debut in 1950 — breaking the color barrier in what’s now the US Open— she had Linda Brough, the world’s second-best player, on the ropes.

But with Gibson leading in the final set (7-6), a thunderstorm, accompanied by a bolt of lightning that hit the top of the West Side Tennis Center in Forest Hills, postponed the match until the next day.

Gibson would lose her momentum and eventually the second-round match that was described by the New Journal and Guide as having “received as much attention as a Hollywood premiere.” But the potential Gibson showed in that U.S. Nationals debut was realized. She went on to win five Grand Slam singles titles (including two in Forest Hills) and five Grand Slam doubles championships.

To celebrate both the 75th anniversary of her debut in Queens and what would have been her 98th birthday, the US Open will celebrate Gibson on Monday in a ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium and throughout the two-week tournament.

“I think the most important part is that we are celebrating it and recognizing it,” Venus Williams, who will play at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, said of Gibson being celebrated. “Althea accomplished so much, and a lot of it has not been given the credit it deserves and the attention and the praise.”

The theme of this year’s US Open is “Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers.” The art on display throughout the venue includes layered silhouettes of Gibson’s profile centered by a blue tennis court. Melissa Koby, who created the artwork, is the first Black theme artist in the history of the US Open.

“I wanted the heart of the matter, the central part of this piece, to be a tennis court,” Koby said. “Because that’s where she thrived.”

Gibson’s history-making debut in 1950 is also being celebrated by Marvel, which created a comic book featuring Gibson and the Fantastic Four.

When a sculpture of Gibson was unveiled during the 2019 US Open, former tennis pro Leslie Allen recalled what Gibson told her during a trip the two made to Africa.

“‘My job was to bust down, to break down that door so that you and the next generation could walk right on through,’” Allen remembered her saying. “’And each one of us would have more than the next.’ ”

Gibson becoming the first Black Grand Slam winner did indeed open doors for future generations. From Allen to Arthur Ashe to Zina Garrison to the dominant era of Venus and Serena Williams, Black players — male and female — have made a tremendous mark in the world of tennis.

Players of color in action today, on a day when a bruncheon celebrated Gibson, include Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys (2025 Australian Open champion), Taylor Townsend and Venus Williams (seven-time Grand Slam singles champion).

On Tuesday, other players of color who are extensions of Gibson’s legacy include Coco Gauff (two-time Grand Slam singles champion), Naomi Osaka (four-time Grand Slam singles champion), Halle Baptiste and Victoria Mboko.

Before Ben Shelton, seeded sixth in this year’s tournament, won his opening-round match on Sunday, he shared the court with Gibson’s family as the two-week celebration of the legend got underway.

“She was the trailblazer for African Americans in tennis,” Shelton said. “It was a great honor to kind of be on court with her family. That was a cool experience and honor for me.”