Althea

The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson

By: Sally H. Jacobs

Narrated by: Chanté McCormick

Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Long-listed, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2023

"Chanté McCormick rises to the challenge of narrating Jacobs's comprehensive biography of Althea Gibson with grace, energy, and a rich voice."—AudioFile

“A captivating book that brilliantly reveals an American sports legend long overlooked. Sally Jacobs tells the riveting story of Althea Gibson, my personal shero, who overcame daunting odds–on the tennis court and off—to stand at the world pinnacle of her sport and became an inspiration to many.”—Billie Jean King

In 1950, three years after Jackie Robinson first walked onto the diamond at Ebbets Field, the all-white, upper-crust US Lawn Tennis Association opened its door just a crack to receive a powerhouse player who would integrate "the game of royalty." The player was a street-savvy young Black woman from Harlem named Althea Gibson who was about as out-of-place in that rarefied and intolerant world as any aspiring tennis champion could be. Her tattered jeans and short-cropped hair drew stares from everyone who watched her play, but her astonishing performance on the court soon eclipsed the negative feelings being cast her way as she eventually became one of the greatest American tennis champions.

Gibson had a stunning career. Raised in New York and trained by a pair of tennis-playing doctors in the South, Gibson’s immense talent on the court opened the door for her to compete around the world. She won top prizes at Wimbledon and Forest Hills time and time again. The young woman underestimated by so many wound up shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth II, being driven up Broadway in a snowstorm of ticker tape, and ultimately became the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the second to appear on the cover of Time. In a crowning achievement, Althea Gibson became the No. One ranked female tennis player in the world for both 1957 and 1958. Seven years later she broke the color barrier again where she became the first Black woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

In Althea, prize-winning former Boston Globe reporter Sally H. Jacobs tells the heart-rending story of this pioneer, a remarkable woman who was a trailblazer, a champion, and one of the most remarkable Americans of the twentieth century.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Sally H. Jacobs (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Althea was truly a multi-hyphenate before that term came to be. Her name has often been listed in conversations about trailblazers and greats, but she was, in fact, one of one. As an African American female tennis player who won the US Open 60 years after Althea won the US Nationals, I recognize the opportunities this sport has provided me thanks to the courageous life of Althea Gibson. I was captivated by this book and by the historical context of Althea's achievements, her challenges, and ultimately her determination both on and off the court."—Sloane Stephens

“A gripping biography that tells the inspirational story of one of America's greatest unsung athletes who was a model not only to me but many others on the court. I might not have accomplished what I did without her opening the door. Let this masterful account move others to aspire to greatness.”—Katrina M. Adams, Executive Director, Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, vice president of the International Tennis Federation, former President and CEO of the United States Tennis Association, and a former WTA Tour Player.

"A comprehensive and elegantly written life of Althea Gibson, one of the greatest athletes America has produced … An essential book about an incomparably authentic American pioneer and the times in which she lived.”—Kirkus (starred review)

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson’s biography is a great tribute to the first African American who became a successful tennis player who paid the price for being black and poor to become one of the best athletes in the world who did not reap the rewards a top tennis player today receives. Jacobs highlights the pain and suffering of a champion who should not have had to worry about racism, financial poverty, and recognizing her accomplishments.

Jacob’s book was much-needed. Gibson paved the way for every black player who plays the game of tennis, especially the black pros who came after Gibson. The powers that be need to keep bugging the tennis community to name the third stadium after Gibson. The statue is nice,but people will remember Gibson if year after year, the name of the stadium will be named as the place where some of the best future matches will be played.

Resilience

Never giving up on your dreams, life, goals and most of all no one can save you but you