When we talk about tennis, what comes to mind? Is it the powerful serves of Serena Williams or the graceful strokes of Taylor Townsend as they dominate the court? Today, we celebrate the achievements of black women in tennis, recognizing their triumphs and the equal opportunities they now receive alongside their white counterparts. However, the sport’s history is layered with struggles. One part of it being the Black Girls Tennis Club’s founder’s a bold claim.

Kimberly Selden and Virginia Thornton met for lunch in December 2021 to discuss their shared aspirations of launching and designing a hotel. The discussion took an unexpected turn when Selden mentioned that she had seen a video of Virginia playing tennis on Instagram. This led to the creation of Black Girls Tennis Club(in March 2022), a charitable organization that serves as a pathway to liberation for Black women and girls through play.

With the support of Wimbledon doubles champion Taylor Townsend(on the board of directors) and celebrity Zendaya, the club has organized community clinics, partnered with HBCU tennis teams, and worked to change the narrative surrounding the sport.

Taylor Townsend, despite being the No.1 ranked junior in the world, faced fatphobic criticism early in her career. The USTA recommended she lose weight, which she attributed to her race and body type. This experience led to her feeling sidelined and discouraged. Virginia echoed that institutions, namely the media, play a large role in shaping the perception of who should be allowed to partake in certain activities.

Speaking with Essence on October 18, Virginia Thornton stated, “If I never played tennis and the only way that I see tennis is on TV, I’m going to think that 90% of tennis is skinny, white, preppy with a Rolex deal. Tennis doesn’t have one, singular look. That’s just what’s on TV.”

Fast forward to the present. The sport of tennis is experiencing a resurgence, with record-breaking attendance at the U.S. Open. The perception of tennis as a white, elitist sport is changing, as Black participation has increased by 46% according to a 2023 report. Black women have a long history of contributing to the sport of tennis, from Margaret and Matilda Peters to contemporary stars like Serena Williams and Coco Gauff. Organizations like Black Girls Tennis Club are working to ensure that this legacy continues.

Just like Townsend, Williams has also not only demonstrated her incredible talent, but she has also fought racial stereotypes and discrimination square on, cementing her place as one of the sport’s most iconic figures. Williams openly talked about the difficulties of tearing down “false narratives” as a black woman and person of color in the largely white tennis community to Harper’s Bazaar on July 10 this year.

Williams had said, “It’s hard because when you are a person of color, you’re expected to—you have to—win so many times more than someone else. To be honest, as a Black woman, we are basically starting at the bottom. You don’t get paid as much. You don’t get as many opportunities.” But after years of unrelenting tenacity, things have changed dramatically.

Serena Williams reflects on the surreal feeling of breaking barriers

When Williams looks back on her career, she sees how her achievements have changed, how people view the sport, making it “cool” to question the current structure and break rules. In the same interview, she stated, “We were able to break barriers and open doors for other people. And then to see so many players come up and say they liked us was kind of surreal but also really cool.”

Not only that, she also talked about how there were times when she was not treated right during her playing career. She added, “I was judged way more harshly than people that have done the same [thing]. I don’t know, but I think I had the biggest fine in the sport. Listen, I’m not a saint on the court.”

Williams broke down racial and cultural barriers, proving that success is not dictated by skin color. Her impact extended far beyond personal victories, as she inspired players from all backgrounds to embrace tennis and paved the way for greater diversity in the sport.

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