Raging with excitement, passion, and edge-of-your-seat anticipation, tennis is a thoroughly enjoyed worldwide sport. And it goes without saying that some of the most influential and successful tennis players come from the Black Community. Let’s look at the most notable Black female tennis players, their achievements, and how they have changed the course of tennis with their top-level athleticism and grace.
From the first Black Grand Slam Title Queen, Althea Gibson, to the current Grand Slam Title winners, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, these legendary Black women have contributed significantly to the game, breaking gender and racial barriers along the way.
Best of the Best Black Female Tennis Players
Althea Gibson
Being a sharecropper’s daughter, Althea Gibson came from humble beginnings. After being given a tennis racket at the tender age of 13, she displayed such talent that garnered attention from elite tennis clubs.
In 1950, Gibson was invited to compete in the US National Championship in New York City, an opportunity that made her the first Black athlete to play international tennis matches.
By the following year, Gibson was playing at Wimbledon and, in 1957, became the first African American to win the US National and All-England Championships. These feats were repeated in 1958. Gibson showed unparalleled zeal and skills, securing 11 Grand Slam Title medals throughout her American tennis career. She was inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Althea Gibson remains unmatched in the field, and her tremendous accomplishments continue to inspire generations of athletes from all walks of life.
Naomi Osaka
Born to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, Naomi Osaka first grabbed the headlines in 2016. At 19, Osaka’s string of fine performances got her the prestigious Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award.
However, it was just the beginning. She soon burst onto the international stage, defeating Simona Halep, the then-world No.1, on her way to winning Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open and the US Open.
Seven months later, Osaka took her professional tennis career to a whole new level by beating her idol, Serena Williams, in the US Open Final. While the match was marred with controversy, with the Williams sister heavily penalized for arguing with the umpire, there’s no doubt who led the court. Despite facing Williams in her hometown, Osaka remained unflustered and bossed it from start to finish.
Since then, Osaka has become unstoppable. Today, she stands as one of the most recognized, admired, and marketable Black athletes and women in the world. Building a legacy beyond the tennis realm, she has a growing list of endorsements and investments in cutting-edge companies.
Also, she owns a women’s pro soccer team. And when not on the court, you’ll find Osaka speaking out against anti-Asian hate crimes and vocally supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. A true champion in every aspect!
Serena Williams
The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), Serena Williams has been a reigning champion of the French Open, Australian Open, US Open, Wimbledon, and WTA Tour Championships. Besides this, this Black female tennis player holds the most major singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles for active tennis players.
Serena grew up in Compton, California. The family included her parents – Richard William, the founder of a security service, and Oracene Price, a nurse – and her older sister, Venus.
While both parents encouraged the girls to play tennis, it was Richard who taught them the sport, coaching them in the public courts in the area. And because of his tireless efforts, the Williams sisters became what they are today.
The most striking thing about Serena is her unmatched dominance on the field, particularly because she can hit groundstrokes off both sides. From throwing the best serves in the history of professional tennis to regularly reaching double figures, no other player can even come close to her, let alone defeat her. She became the first woman to surpass $6 million in prize money, earning $6.5 million in total.
Over the last decade, however, the acclaimed player has carved out a wholly unique place for herself by speaking out against sexism, racism, and other important issues plaguing society, augmenting her role model status even more.
While Serena has had her share of controversies, these are easily outweighed by her contributions and accomplishments, ensuring that her glittering legacy remains etched in history books for years to come.
Venus Williams
We discussed Serena, but what about her sister? Another iconic Williams sister on the tennis court, Venus Williams, is a force to be reckoned with.
Her excellence at the game can be gauged from the fact that she bagged herself numerous titles and victories and became the first African American to rank in the World No. 1 position. Four Olympic Gold medals, seven Grand Slam titles, and many doubles titles make for her superb résumé.
Venus was blessed with extraordinary game talent from a young age, becoming a professional at just fourteen. She polished her skills game after game and never stepped back, even after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011. The autoimmune disease left her sore and fatigued, but Venus faced that with determination.
With alterations in her training schedule and diet modification, she was soon back on her feet, claiming her 13th Grand Slam doubles title with Serena in 2012.
Her exceptional serve, explosive hitting capability, and agility around the net make her a top-notch player. She’s managed to get herself a position on the Forbes Top 100 Celebrity list, as well as amongst the ’30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future’ by Times.
Interestingly, besides being an ace tennis pro, Venus is an exceptional philanthropist and entrepreneur.
Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens was born in Plantation, Florida, to athletic parents. Her father, John Stephens, was an NFL running back; her mother, Sybil Smith, was an All-American swimmer at Boston University.
Sloane took up tennis at age nine to occupy herself while her parents hung out with their friends. She showed an aptitude for sports and attended the Saviano High-Performance Tennis Academy to hone her skills further. Since turning professional in 2010, Sloane capped a successful professional tennis career, winning 7 WTA singles titles. Her athletic court coverage gives her an upper hand over others.
But Sloane didn’t let all the success get to her head and always found ways to give back to her community. In 2013, she established the Sloane Stephens Foundation to provide underprivileged children with fitness, sports, and education opportunities.
Through her foundation, she has helped level the playing field for youth by accessing safe spaces for learning and play.
So, that’s it, folks! But, before we go, here are some additional honorable mentions: Zina Garrison, Madison Keys, Ora Mae Washington, and Katrina Adams. After you finish our list, you can dig out other Grand Slam Champions to celebrate the triumphs of powerhouse Black female tennis players.
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