NEW YORK — Ben Shelton joined in honoring tennis trailblazer Althea Gibson before and after his first-round US Open win on Sunday.
The tournament is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Gibson breaking the color barrier in professional tennis. In 1950, she was the first Black player to compete in the U.S. National Championships—the event now known as the US Open.
👉 Read More: US Open honors Althea Gibson, 75 years after she broke color barrier
Before Shelton took the court against Peru’s Ignacio Buse, a video tribute played inside Arthur Ashe Stadium highlighting Gibson’s achievements and lasting impact. He also met Gibson’s family on the court before the match.
“That was a cool experience and honor for me,” Shelton said.
Gibson is featured on this year’s official US Open poster, a layered silhouette that incorporates the tournament’s iconic imagery including its famous blue-and-green hard courts, a tennis ball, the Statue of Liberty and the winners’ trophies.