African—Americans in Tennis

African Americans have had a great impact on the history of tennis. From playing at the park down the street, to playing on center court, African—Americans have stamped their name on the game of tennis.

By Hank Hlavaty / USTA Texas The next great African‐ A Brief History of American tennis player is none African—Americans in Tennis other than Arthur Ashe. Born in In 1916, the American Tennis As‐ the me of southern segregaon, sociaon was created as the governing Arthur Ashe’s father worked as a body of black tennis in America. The next handyman, and a part me secu‐ year, the ATA had their first naonal rity guard for the Richmond, Va., championship in Balmore where they recreaon department. Ashe crowned Tally Holmes as champion. The couldn’t play at the parks where ATA gave African—Americans a chance to his dad worked, however, because play tennis compevely. However, they he was black. He did not let that were sll not allowed to play on the ten‐ stop him as he went on to win the nis tour for white players. That changed Australian Open, US Open and in the 1950’s with Althea Gibson, and the Wimbledon. Center Court at the help of Alice Marble. US Open is now named in his hon‐ Marble was one of or. the best white tennis players at the me. She wrote a leer to

her tennis associaon advocang for Gib‐ son’s eligibility to play against white women. In her leer she said, “If tennis is a game for ladies and gentlemen, it’s me we acted a lile more like gentle people and less like Players like Althea Gibson sancmonious hypocrites”. This leer and Arthur Ashe have paved the was responsible for her admiance into way for African—Americans like several qualifying tournaments. From James Blake, Donald Young, there, Althea went on to win Wimbledon Sloane Stephens, and the Wil‐ and the US Naonal singles tles in 1957 liams Sisters to pursue their and 1958. dreams. Honor Black History Month by playing at these parks with tennis courts around Texas

Barbara Jordan Park—Houston Barbara Jordan was a civil rights leader, the first African American elected to the Texas senate, and the first southern black female elected to the United States House of Representaves. The park features basketball courts, jogging trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, a volleyball court, and two lighted tennis courts.

Chrisa V. Adair Park—Houston Chrisa V. Adair was a church and community leader, who devoted her life to the work of gaining equal rights for blacks and women. She was named the first black commieewoman in Texas and was named to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984. The park features nature trails, tennis courts, play‐ grounds, picnic ar‐ eas, pavilions and a community cen‐ ter. Finnigan Park—Houston This park is named aer Annee Finnigan. Months before her death in 1940, she gave 18 acres of land to the city of Houston for use as a park, intending it parcularly to benefit black residents. There was segregaon at the me and the only other green space for blacks was Emancipaon Park. Finnigan Park has a baseball field, basketball court, tennis courts, a pool, community center, playground, and picnic areas.

Rosewood Park—Ausn Rosewood Park is home to a mulpurpose field, picnic tables, playgrounds, barbeque pits, a swimming pool and two tennis courts. Rosewood Park also contains Rosewood Rec‐ reaon Center and the Doris Miller Auditori‐ um, which was named aer the first African ‐ American to be awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the aacks on Pearl Har‐ bor.

Anderson Bonner Park—Dallas Anderson Bonner was a landowner, entrepre‐ neur, and early Dallas pioneer. He purchased 60 acres in Dallas County in the late 1800’s. The Park today sits on part of that land he pur‐ chased. The park also features a soccer field and walking trails. Hamilton Park—Dallas This park was named for Dr. Richard T Hamilton, a physician and black civic leader. Hamilton Park has great areas for picnick‐ ing, fishing, playing tennis and much more. Hamilton Park is al‐ so the name of a small North Dallas neighborhood, also named aer Dr. Richard Hamilton.

Marn Luther King Jr Park and Community Center — Fort. Worth This park is named aer Mar‐ n Luther King Jr. He was a minister, acvist, humanitarian, and leader of the African American Civil Rights movement. He is best known for advancing civil rights using nonvio‐ lent civil disobedience. The community center offers a number of classes, an aer school program, and frequent community events.

Mae Simmons Park—Lubbock Mae Simmons was a Lubbock edu‐ cator during the middle 1900’s. She was an inspiraon to all children as she now has a community center, swimming pool, and park named in her honor. The park was dedicated to Simmons in 1963. Marn Luther King Jr Park—San An‐ tonio This 116 acre park is also named aer MLK Jr the civil rights acvist. It includes a pool, playground, volley‐ ball courts, basketball courts, a so‐ ball field, and two tennis courts.

Please contact USTA Texas if there are any parks that need to be added to the list. Contact Hank Hlavaty at [email protected]

Park Name City Address Rosewood Park Ausn 1182 North Pleasant Valley Road Barbara Jordan Park Houston 6400 Winfield Road

Chrisa V. Adair Park Houston 15107 Cullen Boulevard

Anderson Bonner Park Dallas Dallas, TX 75251

Hamilton Park Dallas 9779 Forest Lane

Marn Luther King Jr. Park Fort Worth 5565 Truman Drive

Finnigan Park Houston 4900 Providence Street

Mae Simmons Park Lubbock 2004 Oak Avenue

Marn Luther King Jr. Park San Antonio 3505 Marn Luther King Drive