Charging the Net: A History of Blacks in Tennis from Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe to the Williams Sisters (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Larryette Kyle-DeBose (Author)
Key Phrases: niggers gotta, junior development program, chair umpire, Grand Slam, New York, Arthur Ashe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Despite what many might assume, the Williams sisters were not the first high-profile African American tennis players. Before Venus and Serena there was Arthur Ashe, who in 1975 became the first black player to win Wimbledon, and before him there was Althea Gibson, who won a string of major titles in the 1950s. And those are just the two biggest names on a list that stretches back nearly 100 years. Veteran sports journalist Harris and tennis player Kyle-DeBose chart the course of black tennis through the twentieth and early-twenty-first centuries. Prejudice played a big part in the story, of course, as did politics and economics. Even so, as with baseball's color line, it was only a matter of time before African American tennis players proved that they could compete with—and defeat—white players. Although the basics of this story have been told before, in other contexts, this volume takes a more comprehensive approach to the subject and, as such, carves a deserving place for itself in tennis literature. Pitt, David

Review

"Before and after Althea Gibson leaped the color bar, blacks were playing tennis--enthusiastically but largely unrecognized. Harris and Kyle-DeBose have done the game a service, deeply exploring the history of the triumphs, pains and pitfalls of the black experience." -- Bud Collins in Boston Globe/NBC

"Historical account...describes the numerous contributions of and challenges overcome by specific figures." -- Forecast

"Interesting read for all avid sports enthusiasts....The lessons learned here need to stay vibrant in our minds." -- CHRIS HOWARD, Daily Courier

"Labor of love...document[s] a rich black tennis experience." -- Inside Tennis

"Lively presentation blends civil rights issues with tennis....Top pick...for sports libraries [and] collection[s] strong in integration issues." -- Midwest Book Review

"This volume takes a more comprehensive approach to the subject and...carves a deserving place for itself in tennis literature." -- David Pitt, Booklist

"A wide-ranging history, built on more than 65 interviews, that tells in-depth stories about the lives of black tennis stars." -- New York Times Book Review

"worth reading." -- Black Athletes Sports Network

An informative read on African-Americans in tennis....The overall impact produces a service ace. -- Tennessean.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher (July 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566637147
• ISBN-13: 978-1566637145
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,158,209 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its lively presentation blends civil rights issues with tennis sports world insights., August 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

CHARGING THE NET: A HISTORY OF BLACKS IN TENNIS provides a fine survey of the major black figures in tennis who forced the sport to integrate. Personal interviews and in-depth research details the challenges blacks faced in entering professional status in the tennis world, with chapters surveying the achievements of individuals, teams, and organizations alike. This is a top pick not just for sports libraries, but for any general-interest collection strong in integration issues and sports. Its lively presentation blends civil rights issues with tennis sports world insights.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible book, July 6, 2008

By	[e-mail] "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

congradulations to the Williams sisters winning at WImbledon together and for them battling against one another for the championship. this Book is a Must read for the tennis fan in general and also from a basic rights and understanding of the history of Blacks in tennis. this book is very in depth and is a note for note line for line read. very informative. a must have.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charging The Net, November 27, 2007

By	Sharon M. Oneal - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found it a very informative and wonderful book to read. I really learned a lot about the history of Black tennis pros. I would definetely recommend for everyone to read this book.