Keystone / Getty Images file

Althea Gibson (right) receives a kiss from compatriot Darlene Hard, whom she beat in two sets to become the first black woman to win the Women's Singles Finals at Wimbledon.

Bud Collins

Age 23 is very late for a tennis player to crash the game's big league. Especially for a woman. But Althea Gibson, starting from way behind without the early preparation against good competition, made the most of it to become a world champion.

Yes, six years later she won the French Open, and seven years later she won the first of her two Wimbledon and U.S. titles, but more importantly was the leap she made against the odds and against the wishes of the starchy types who ran the game in America. A black woman, she hurdled a wall (though invisible) as formidable as the Great Wall of China -- breaking tennis' color barrier in 1950.

Here in 2007 the first night of the U.S. Open was special as tennis commemorated the 50th anniversary of Gibson's historic title at the U.S. National Championships. To that I say it's about time. The broad impact of Gibson's achievements were saluted, and hopefully many more people will come to appreciate this true champion not only as a player but as a person.

Unveiling a game of thunder and lightning   
Gibson was the first, the unwanted pioneer, the Rosa Parks of the tennis court when she showed up for the U.S. Championships at Forest Hills in 1950. It was decided to let her in through the lobbying of a great former champion, Alice Marble. It was Marble who wrote some editorials in American Lawn Tennis Magazine questioning when sportsmanship would be shown by letting Gibson play like any other competitor.

Gibson's first appearance at Forest Hills was not only a notable occasion, it was nearly a moment of staggering triumph. Making her historic debut in a 6-2, 6-2 win over Barbara Knapp, she was matched in the second round against third-seeded Louise Brough, the reigning Wimbledon champion. Gibson, who was strong and tall (5-foot-11), came within one game of winning the match.

Recovering from her nerves, Gibson led, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6, when providence intervened: a thunderstorm came upon Forest Hills, suspending the match until the next day, when Brough reaffirmed her eminence by winning three straight games.

During the storm, a bolt of lightning had toppled one of the guardian eagles from the upper part of the Forest Hills stadium. Gibson would later recall that saying, "It may have been an omen that times were changing."

More news

Gregorio Borgia / AP

Isner will be dark horse in Paris

  Video: Harry Cicma previews the American's chances to win the French Open against the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Headlines

• Label

Djokovic, Federer could meet in French SF again

Serena Williams says sister Venus is 'inspiring'

Sharapova ready to take game by storm again

I lost focus after French Open title, says Li

Monfils pulls out of French Open with knee injury

Almagro beats Simon to reach Open de Nice final

Radwanska reaches final of Belgian Open

Schiavone reaches Strasbourg semifinal

Headlines

• Label

Djokovic, Federer could meet in French SF again

Serena Williams says sister Venus is 'inspiring'

Sharapova ready to take game by storm again

I lost focus after French Open title, says Li

Monfils pulls out of French Open with knee injury

Almagro beats Simon to reach Open de Nice final

Radwanska reaches final of Belgian Open

Schiavone reaches Strasbourg semifinal