Breaking Barriers and Making History: 75 Years of Black Excellence in Florida Tennis

For the past 75 years, the state of Florida has witnessed an evolution in tennis, highlighted by the inspiring journey of Black individuals who have played crucial roles in shaping the sport’s landscape. From the early pioneers who broke racial barriers to the young talent who continue to make history, the Black community in Florida has seen incredible growth in the tennis space. 

The Beginning of Black Tennis in Florida 

Tennis was first played in the United States back in 1874 and in the mid nineteenth century, tennis was often seen as an exclusive sport, with limited opportunities for Black athletes. However, pioneers like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe paved the way for future generations. Gibson, a graduate of Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) nestled in Tallahassee, Florida, became the first Black player to compete in and win major tennis tournaments. Her first Major win came in 1956, and she would go on to win 11 Grand Slams across her career. Gibson’s success at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Nationals, now known as the US Open, in the late 1950s marked a turning point in the history of Black tennis. 

The courts at FAMU honor the late Althea Gibson.

Another hero in tennis emerged onto the tennis scene in the mid-1900s in Arthur Ashe. In 1963, he became the first black male selected to the United States Davis Cup team and in 1968 he was the first black male player to win a Grand Slam title. Throughout his career he won 5 Grand Slams between Singles and Doubles. He retired in 1980, but his legacy would only grow. In 1983, Ashe accepted a job with Florida Memorial College, another HBCU in Florida, and taught a class called “The Black Athlete in Contemporary Society.” Ashe also wrote a three-volume book called A Hard Road to Glory, which highlighted the journeys of many Black athletes in the history of sports. He became very involved in Miami, as it was a notable hub for tennis in the late 1900s. Ashe helped provide many Black tennis players with a platform to showcase their tennis skills including establishing USTA Schools back in 1995. Today, there are a couple schools, including Arthur Ashe Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, named in honor of him. 

The legacy of Gibson and Ashe helped pave the way for future generations as organizations and athletes were inspired to continue their work to break barriers and encourage black tennis participation. According to a tennis report, more than 10% of Florida’s 1.8 million players come from the Black community, but USTA Florida wants to increase participation more over the next 75 years. 

USTA Florida Makes a Difference 

To help advance racial equality, USTA Florida created the AMPLIFY initiative in 2020, with a goal to advocate for the black community and get more people involved with the sport. This project aimed to collect valuable feedback from Black communities and collaborating to develop effective strategies in addressing racial inequalities.  

USTA Florida launched AMPLIFY to support the Black community.

With Amplify, USTA Florida has worked with many communities throughout the state to provide tennis opportunities for the black community. The organization has hosted Juneteenth events, awarded grants for other organizations to host their own Juneteenth events, and has partnered with the American Tennis Association for a handful of events.  

USTA Florida has also partnered with local HBCUs such as Edward Waters University. This HBCU is in their first year of offering a tennis program and USTA Florida has sponsored the team with access to SwingVision, an innovative way to analyze their tennis game. 

While USTA Florida has been making an impact, other organizations such as the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation and other National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs are making a remarkable impact every day in children’s lives and within their communities. MaliVai Washington, a former tennis pro, moved to Florida after his playing career and launched his Youth Foundation, aimed to help develop students both on and off of the courts.  

Florida Pros Making an Impact 

Throughout the past 10 years, two black female tennis pros have been performing extraordinary on the courts. Sloane Stephens, born in Plantation, Florida, won the US Open in 2017 and reached a peak ranking of No. 3 in the world.  

Coco Gauff has been a teen sensation on and off the courts.

Another superstar, Coco Gauff, who was born in Delray Beach has taken the tennis world by storm the past few years. At the age of 15, she qualified for the Wimbledon Main Draw and made it all the way to the fourth round. In 2023, at 19 years of age, she won the US Open, the first American teen to do so since Serena Williams did in 1999. She currently sits as the No. 3 ranked women in the WTA and was the highest paid female athelte on 2023. 

Wrapping up Black Tennis Excellence 

As we celebrate 75 years of Black excellence in Florida tennis, the legacy continues to thrive. USTA Florida initiatives like AMPLIFY work to create more opportunities for the black community. 

USTA Florida is excited to see what the next 75 years brings to diversify tennis.

The 75-year journey of Black tennis in Florida is a testament to resilience, excellence, and the power of community. The contributions of Black athletes have transformed tennis into a more inclusive and dynamic sport. As Florida continues to be a hub for tennis development, the legacy of Black excellence remains an important part of the state’s tennis narrative. The next 75 years promise even greater strides, as the Sunshine State remains committed to nurturing a tennis community that reflects its diversity.