Led by Serena Williams, African-American women made an impressive showing at the recently completed 2016 French Open, the second of four Grand Slam events on the men’s and women’s professional tour. Of the 18 U.S. women who competed on the red clay at Roland Garros, six, or one-third, were African American. And all but one … More U.S. diversity on display at French Open

My mind was focused on Donald Young for my next blogpost until the other day when one of my hitting buddies posed a distracting question. “So what’s up with Serena?” he asked, as we were about to thwock away on clay. Initially, I dismissed it with a shrug, as I tend to do such questions … More Has Serena’s spark been extinguished?

Note: This is the first of an occasional profile of people of color who love the sport of tennis, ranging from those who earn a living from it to those who just enjoy playing on weekends.         The Scott File Full name: Terrance Gregory Scott Birthplace: Philadelphia High School: Roxborough High School College: University of Maryland Eastern … More Black Tennis Pro: Terrance Scott

I recently joined the American Tennis Association and already feel it was one of the best investments I have ever made. Why? Peace of mind. That’s right, for a mere $25 I have exorcised the guilt that had been haunting me ever since I first learned of the existence of this august organization celebrating its 100th anniversary. In … More ATA: A group worthy of our support

The roar that greeted Venus Williams when she stepped onto the court at Indian Wells for the first time in 15 years was heartwarming, and the way she handled it was classic. As she walked toward her chair, her face enriched by a charming smile, she acknowledged the love with an appreciative wave. It was vintage Venus … More Venus, Serena still making us proud

Two 18-year-old rising stars squared off across the net during the first round at Indian Wells, and the outcome screams for a change in the recent narrative on the future of American men’s tennis. Frances Tiafoe of College Park, Md., walked off the winner over Taylor Fritz of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., after three hard-fought sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, … More Tiafoe steals Taylor’s thunder

Robert W. (Bobby) Johnson III is delighted by all the recent recognition of his grandfather’s contributions to the tennis world, but there is one distinction he would like to see buried: “the godfather of black tennis.” For Bobby, that tagline is misleading and too confining for the legendary R. Walter Johnson, famously known as “Whirlwind” by the public and affectionately … More Tennis legend getting his due

Jackie Robinson’s baseball legacy is well known. But how many of you know he was an exceptional tennis player? In 1936, 11 years before integrating major league baseball, Robinson won the Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Championship Tournament. That is among the many nuggets to be found at http://www.blacktennishistory.com, an online archive developed and maintained by Robert … More A gold mine of Black tennis history

Serena Williams’ loss in the final of the Australian Open was a shocker. But her disappointed fans can find solace in the fact she already has 21 Grand Slam singles titles and has notched her place in history as perhaps the greatest ever in women’s tennis. But what about the fans of Sloane Stephens? They must still be scratching their … More Will the real Sloane Stephens please…

by Larry Bivins I was almost 20 years old when I first picked up a tennis racquet to play. Today, at 67, I am a tennis junkie, and I deeply regret I was not exposed to the sport as a kid growing up in inner-city Cleveland. While interest in tennis has expanded throughout America since … More Welcome to my tennis blog