July 10, 1943 Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr., hall of fame tennis player and civil rights activist, was born in Richmond, Virginia. In 1963, Ashe became the first Black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team and in 1965 he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association tennis singles title. Ashe graduated from the University […]
Tag Archives | tennis
June 17th in African American History – Venus Ebony Starr Williams
June 17, 1980 Venus Ebony Starr Williams, professional tennis player, was born in Lynwood, California. Williams began her professional tennis career in 1994 and won her first World Tennis Association singles title in 1998. Over her career, she has won 43 WTA singles titles, more than any other active player on the WTA tour. She […]
November 16th in African American History – Zina Lynna Garrison
November 16, 1963 Zina Lynna Garrison, professional tennis player, was born in Houston, Texas. Garrison started playing tennis at the age of 10 and entered her first tournament at the age of 12. In 1981, she won the Wimbledon and US Open Junior titles and was ranked the World Number 1 junior player. Garrison turned […]
September 26th in African American History – Serena Jameka Williams
September 26, 1981 Serena Jameka Williams, World No. 1 female professional tennis player, was born in Saginaw, Michigan. Soon after her birth, Williams’ family moved to California where she started playing tennis at the age of four. Williams started playing professional tennis in 1995 but did not win her first professional singles title until 1999. […]