Althea: Race in the Sport of Tennis
Clip: 9/4/2015 | 1m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Althea Gibson wasn't concerned with representing her race, she just wanted to play.
Althea Gibson was one of the country's best tennis players at a time when, because of her race, she wouldn't be granted membership to most tennis clubs. Though race concerned the tennis world, it didn't concern Gibson as much. According to Arvelia Myers, Althea Gibson’s friend and tennis professional, and tennis champion Billie Jean King, Gibson just wanted to the right to play and compete.
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Funding for American Masters is provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, The Blanche & Irving Laurie...
Althea: Race in the Sport of Tennis
Clip: 9/4/2015 | 1m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Althea Gibson was one of the country's best tennis players at a time when, because of her race, she wouldn't be granted membership to most tennis clubs. Though race concerned the tennis world, it didn't concern Gibson as much. According to Arvelia Myers, Althea Gibson’s friend and tennis professional, and tennis champion Billie Jean King, Gibson just wanted to the right to play and compete.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Althea Gibson at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills
Video has Closed Captions
Home movies of Althea Gibson practicing at the esteemed club in New York City. (1m 49s)
Video has Closed Captions
The story of Althea Gibson, queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s. (2m 24s)
Filmmaker Interview with Rex Miller: Making "Althea"
Video has Closed Captions
A photo Althea Gibson with his mother was the film director's original inspiration. (2m 45s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Funding for American Masters is provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, The Blanche & Irving Laurie...