How two underdogs became Wimbledon Doubles champions
Last weekend, Steffi Graf was installed in the Tennis Hall of Fame. Another equally deserving inductee, thirty three years ago, was the late Althea Gibson.Ìý
A new book, The Match, describes her friendship with her doubles partner, Angela Buxton. Initially they played together because nobody else would partner them - Althea was black, and Angela Jewish. But in 1956Ìýthey changed the face of sport, by winning the Ladies' Doubles Trophy at Wimbledon .
Althea then went on to win the singles title, at the third time of asking in 1957. Althea died last year, but despite marriages, children, and geographical distance, she and Angela maintained their friendship over nearly half a century.
Flic Everett talks to Angela Buxton about The Match and her enduring relationship with Althea Gibson.
Bruce Schoenfeld: The Match: Althea Gibson & Angela Buxton: How Two Outsiders - One Black, the Other Jewish - Forged a Friendship and Made Sports History, published by Amistad Press (ISBN: 0060526521)
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