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Blacks at the Net: Unveiling the Hidden History of African Americans in Tennis

Alfred Ross

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Published in Blacks At The Net: Black Achievement In The History Of Tennis Volume 2 (Sports And Entertainment)

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In the annals of sports history, the contributions of African Americans have often been overlooked or marginalized. This is especially true in the world of tennis, a sport that has long been associated with exclusivity and privilege.

But a new book, Blacks at the Net, is shedding light on the hidden history of African Americans in tennis. The book, written by journalist and author Lisa Dillman, tells the stories of the trailblazing players who overcame adversity to achieve greatness on and off the court.

Blacks at the Net: Black Achievement in the History of Tennis, Volume 2 (Sports and Entertainment)

by J. C. Cervantes

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2594 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

One of the most famous African American tennis players is Althea Gibson. Gibson, who was born in 1927, grew up in Harlem, New York. Despite facing discrimination and poverty, Gibson went on to become the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam tournament. She won the French Open in 1956 and Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958.

Another tennis pioneer is Arthur Ashe. Ashe, who was born in 1943, was the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tournament. He won the US Open in 1968. Ashe was also a vocal advocate for social justice and equality.

In recent years, African Americans have continued to make their mark on the world of tennis. Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most successful tennis players in history. Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, while Serena has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

The stories of these players are inspiring and empowering. They show that anything is possible if you have the determination and the will to succeed. Blacks at the Net is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of tennis or the history of African Americans in sports.

Unveiling the Hidden History

The history of African Americans in tennis is a rich and complex one. It is a story of struggle and triumph, of adversity and achievement.

The early years of tennis were dominated by white players. African Americans were not allowed to compete in most tournaments, and they faced discrimination on and off the court. But despite these challenges, a few African American players managed to break through the barriers.

In the 1950s, Althea Gibson became the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam tournament. Her victory at the French Open in 1956 was a major breakthrough for African Americans in tennis. Gibson went on to win Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, and she became the first African American woman to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In the 1960s, Arthur Ashe became the first African American man to win a Grand Slam tournament. His victory at the US Open in 1968 was a major milestone for African Americans in tennis. Ashe went on to win three more Grand Slam titles, and he became one of the most successful tennis players of his era.

The Legacy of Blacks at the Net

The legacy of African Americans in tennis is one of perseverance and achievement. Despite facing discrimination and adversity, African American players have gone on to achieve great success on the court and off.