Wimbledon Champion Althea Gibson’s Post Tennis Career: Singer, Actress, Golfer
After winning five Grand Slams, the tennis legend turned to singing, acting and golf.
Althea Gibson is best known as the first African American to break the color barrier in tennis. However, her post-tennis career is nearly as remarkable, especially considering the era in which she lived.
Recently, I’ve been spending many hours on Ms. Gibson. That’s because I’m writing the cover story for this year’s official U.S. Open program, which will focus on the 75th Anniversary of Gibson breaking the color barrier.
I’m always amazed at how often she managed to reinvent herself. Gibson went from skipping school as a teenager to becoming a college graduate and teacher, while winning a few Grand Slams along the way.
In August 1950, Gibson lost a United States Lawn and Tennis Association (USLTA) match against Laura Brough at the West End Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, during the U.S. Nationals (now the U.S. Open). It was the first time a black person had been permitted to compete in USLTA tournaments.
In 1956, she won the French Championships (now the French Open) in singles and doubles. The following year, she became the first Black person to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. She repeated that achievement in 1958.
Within eight years, Gibson won five Grand Slam singles titles, five Slam doubles titles, one Slam mixed-doubles title, and reached No. 1. She compiled a 16-1 record at Wimbledon.
After winning Wimbledon in 1957, Gibson was celebrated with a ticker tape parade down Broadway. However, back then, tennis was an amateur sport, and Gibson couldn’t afford to travel around the world with patrons covering only room and board.
“Being the Queen of Tennis is all well and good, but you can’t eat a crown,” Gibson said.
So in late 1958, still at the top of her game, Gibson left amateur tennis to capitalize on her newfound fame.
Gibson found a new stage—this time, under the spotlight and in front of a microphone. She recorded an album, "Althea Gibson Sings," in 1959, showcasing a smooth, soulful voice that surprised many fans. Her repertoire included jazz standards and ballads, revealing a talent for music as natural as her athleticism. She played the saxophone while a student at FAMU.
Lights, Camera, Althea!
Hollywood soon called. Gibson made her acting debut in the 1959 film "The Horse Soldiers," starring John Wayne. Although her role was small, her presence was magnetic, and she enjoyed the opportunity to try something new. She later appeared on TV, captivating audiences with her poise and wit on shows like “What’s My Line?”
Swinging Into Golf
Never one to rest, Gibson picked up a golf club and, in 1964, broke another barrier by becoming the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour. She faced the same obstacles as in tennis—segregation, skepticism, and exclusion—but her determination never wavered. Gibson competed on the tour for over a decade, earning respect for her powerful drive and relentless competitiveness.
Gibson’s Inspiring Encore
These days, tennis stars start building their empires while still playing. Coco Gauff recently launched Coco Gauff Enterprises, a sports management firm. Naomi Osaka owns a film production company. Serena and Venus Williams launched their fashion labels while still playing. But what Gibson did back in the 1950s, before the Civil Rights Act, is remarkable.
Gibson was a one-woman enterprise. She wasn’t afraid to try new things and refused to be defined by others. Whether singing, acting, golfing, or serving her community, she demonstrated that greatness has no limits—and that the most inspiring champions keep reinventing themselves.