Gibson, Althea, GIHB suhn, al THEE uh (1927-2003), became the first important African American tennis player. She was one of the leading women amateur players from 1950 to 1958. Gibson dominated women's tennis in 1957 and 1958, winning the women's singles titles at Wimbledon in England and the United States National Championships (now the U.S. Open) both years. As the first player to break the color barrier in tennis, Gibson opened the way for future African American stars, such as Arthur Ashe, Venus Williams, and Serena Williams.