E-Paper
Althea Gibson honoured in Open tribute
Zina Garrison joined McEnroe and others in paying tribute to Gibson, the woman called the "African-American mother of tennis."
For more than half her life, Zina Garrison heard the same advice from Althea Gibson: Work on your serve. Yet not until Gibson's funeral did Garrison truly understand what her friend and mentor meant.
"Not only serving myself, but serving my community," Garrison said.
Garrison joined John McEnroe and others in an on-court tribute to Gibson at the US Open on Tuesday night, honouring the woman they called the "African-American mother of tennis."
The festivities took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium before Serena Williams played Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals. Gibson, who died last September 28 at 76, was the first black player to compete at Wimbledon and the US Championships, as the Open was known in 1950. She won the singles title at both events in 1957-58, part of the 11 Grand Slam singles and doubles titles she took overall.
Gibson also excelled at golf, and became the first black player on the LPGA Tour.
"She gave all minorities a chance to break a lot of barriers," Garrison said during the ceremony.
Gibson became the New Jersey state commissioner of athletics in 1975, ran for the state senate two years later and went on to establish the Althea Gibson Foundation to benefit urban and underprivileged youth in tennis.
"It is truly appropriate to recognize the achievements of Althea Gibson here at the Open," McEnroe said.
Garrison, now 40 and an Olympic gold medallist, first met Gibson at age 15. Garrison went on the become the first black woman to reach a Wimbledon final since Gibson.
Every year, Garrison said, she'd talk to Gibson after the Open. Gibson loved watching the event, and often would have advice for many of tennis' top players, such as the Williams sisters. Gibson wanted Serena to perfect her forehand. And what message did she want Garrison to pass along to Serena's older sibling? "Tell Venus she needs more work on her serve," Garrison recalled.
