Who was the first African American to win a Wimbledon title?

GMCGIRL

Althea Gibson! American Althea Gibson became the first black player to win a Wimbledon singles championship when she captured the title in 1957. She successfully defended her title a year later. She was named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in both years. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/00wimbledon1.html However, the first black person--male or female--to actually win at Wimbledon was Althea Gibson, who won both the singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Thanks to her trailblazing efforts, hundreds of black tennis players have followed. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_2_35/ai_n6253849 July 6 On this day in 1957, Althea Gibson claims the women's singles tennis title at Wimbledon and becomes the first African American to win a championship at London's All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. http://www.titansofwar.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=3021 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=56930 [Added references - McG] Mar 13 06, 10:45 AM