Althea Neale Gibson was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first Black player to win a Grand Slam event. The following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals, then won both again in 1958 and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam titles: five singles titles, five doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title. "She is one of the greatest players who ever lived," said Bob Ryland, a tennis contemporary and former coach of Venus and Serena Williams. "Martina [Navratilova] couldn't touch her. I think she'd beat the Williams sisters." Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. In the early 1960s, she also became the first Black player to compete in the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Althea Gibson, American tennis player and golfer (born 1927)
On September 28, in the year 2003, Althea Gibson, American tennis player and golfer (born 1927). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of September 28, a notable event in this corner of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Althea Gibson. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on September 28, 2003 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 8 July 2026.
On This Date in History
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
People Involved
More on September 28
Winfield Dunn, American politician, 43rd Governor of Tennessee (born 1927)
Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was an American businessman and politician who served as the 43rd governor of Tennessee from 1971 to 1975. He was the state's first Republican gover…
Winfield Dunn, American politician, 43rd Governor of Tennessee (born 1927)
Drake Hogestyn, American actor (born 1953)
Donald Drake Hogestyn was an American actor best known for his long-running role as John Black on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Drake Hogestyn, American actor (born 1953)
Kris Kristofferson, American singer, songwriter, and actor (born 1936)
Kristoffer Kristofferson was an American musician, songwriter, and actor. He was a pioneering figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, moving away from the polished Nas…
Kris Kristofferson, American singer, songwriter, and actor (born 1936)
Coolio, American rapper (born 1963)
Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper, songwriter and record producer. He was best known for his single "Gangsta's Paradise" (1995), which wo…
Coolio, American rapper (born 1963)
José José, Mexican musician and singer (born 1948)
José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, known professionally as José José was a Mexican singer and actor. Dubbed as "El Príncipe de la Canción", his performance and vocal style have influenced ma…
José José, Mexican musician and singer (born 1948)
Predrag Ejdus, Serbian actor (born 1947)
Predrag Ejdus was a Serbian actor of theater, film and television. His extensive body of work includes over 200 theater productions, 50 films and 30 television series.
Predrag Ejdus, Serbian actor (born 1947)
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.