Event celebrates breaking of tennis’ color barrier by SC’s Althea Gibson
From staff reports
Scheper Tennis Academy held a fundraiser Saturday — sponsored by The American Tennis Association (ATA) in conjunction with Bricks on Boundary and Maryland Fried Chicken — at the Beaufort Tennis Courts to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Althea Gibson’s breaking the color barrier with the U.S. Lawn and Tennis Association — now the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA).
Gibson would go on to become a world class tennis player and open the door for other people of color to compete on the national level such as Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams, Coco Gauff and many more players of color.
The party, free to the public, featured food and beverages, and of course, tennis.
Founded in 1916, the American Tennis Association (ATA) is the oldest black sports organization in the U.S. promoting a vibrant tennis community. Initially the only platform for Black players to compete nationally, the ATA now drives growth and inclusivity in the sport. The ATA has been a prolific pipeline for some of the greatest players, coaches, and contributors in tennis history.
The annual ATA National Tournament in Orlando gathers hundreds of African American players, celebrating athletic excellence and Black history in tennis. In 2025, the ATA will launch the Black Tennis Experience, featuring the National Tournament, an Awards Gala, and a Celebrity Pro-Am, with an economic impact nearing $1 million. The ATA boasts more than 4,000 members.
The ATA National Championships is an annual historic tennis tournament that brings hundreds of players of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities to compete on a national stage. The first National Championships began in 1917 with only three events. Today the Championships have five Major Events
The theme of this year’s tournament is “Honoring Legacy, Building the Future.”
