The Latest with Loren LoRosa

Episode: A Day at the US Open! 75 Years since the 1st Black Tennis Player in a Major Match, Althea Gibson

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Loren LaRosa
Podcast: The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Loren LaRosa brings listeners inside her transformative experience at the 2025 US Open, a special occasion marking the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s historic debut as the first Black tennis player in a major competition. The episode spotlights the legacy of Gibson, honors the ever-growing presence of Black athletes in tennis, and reflects on the power of representation, community, and breaking barriers both on and off the court. Loren shares her personal insights, moving moments from her day at the tournament, and offers direct commentary from Venus Williams and Coco Gauff on Althea Gibson’s impact.

Key Discussion Points

1. Celebration at the US Open & Althea Gibson’s Legacy

• [02:00] Loren describes attending the US Open in Queens, NY, for an event honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s history-making match.
• Emphasizes the overdue recognition Gibson is finally receiving from the tournament and broader tennis community.

  “A lot of people feel like this was…well overdue. …They finally given just due to a woman who literally broke down doors or broke racks, tennis racks, that is, for all of the Black tennis players to come behind her.” — Loren LaRosa [03:40]

• Reflects on Gibson as “the originator of Black woman on a tennis court showing y’all how to get it done.”

2. Black Excellence & Representation in Tennis

• [05:00] Loren recounts how Black players are often a small subset of those competing and gaining attention at major tournaments.
• Highlights icons like Venus and Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff, noting the persistent underrepresentation and challenges despite rising participation:

  “When we talk about major tournaments in tennis, there’s always just a handful of us.” — Loren LaRosa [06:30]

• Shares appreciation for being in a space at the Open filled with successful, Black professionals from diverse fields, echoing a sense of belonging and celebration.

3. HBCU Initiatives & Notable Encounters

• [08:30] Loren details meeting or seeing media and sports figures such as Monica McNutt (panel host) and Ivana Riji Molly (“Insecure”) amidst the HBCU Live initiative, acting as a “chaperone” and facilitator for attendees.
• Praises the intentional design of the event:

  “It was so Black and so brilliant today at the US Open. Lord, I am just—I’m so happy to be gang. I am just so happy to be gang.” — Loren LaRosa [11:00]

4. Art, Atmosphere, and Legacy

• [11:30] Everywhere at the venue, art celebrated Althea Gibson:
  • Silhouettes, statues, iconic photographs, and the theme “Celebrating 75 Years of Breaking Barriers.”
  • Artwork by Melissa Koby—the first Black theme artist in US Open history.
• Marvel-produced Althea Gibson comic books available as keepsakes.
• Loren’s emotional nostalgia from attending the US Open as a child with her tennis camp to now, surrounded by a vibrant Black community.

5. Special Moments – Coin Toss and Gladys Knight

• [15:00] Loren shares her excitement about participating in the coin toss for the Taylor Fritz vs. Lloyd Harris match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
• [16:00] Legendary Gladys Knight also performed a coin toss; Loren addresses recent public concerns about Knight’s health:

  “She was very alert, very aware. She knew what was going on, waving to the crowd, all the things.” — Loren LaRosa [16:40]

  • Refutes rumors and affirms Knight looked “amazing” and “not to be played with.”

6. Reflecting on Support, Growth, and Accountability

• [17:40] Loren spotlights the increasing Black presence in tennis (20% rise since 2023 according to NBC News).
• Calls out the tendency—even among Black media and fans—to focus on drama or personal lives over athletic excellence.

  “Imagine if someone only ever talked about Ms. Althea Gibson because of the drama she experienced and not all the great things she did…Where would that leave space for any of these Black women or Black players that you are here so excited to see and support today?” — Loren LaRosa [18:30]

• Pledges to more actively follow and support Black athletes’ actual games and asks listeners to hold themselves to the same standard.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Venus Williams on Althea Gibson’s Influence

“I had an opportunity to feel proud of who I was, who I am, because of people like Althea. Of course, there’s different kinds of ways you’re perceived, or sometimes treated because of the color of your skin, but it never stopped me.”
— Venus Williams [18:50]

Coco Gauff on Her Foundations and Resilience

“The first three tennis players I knew of were Serena and Venus and Althea Gibson. …She had to face real pressure, just brutal, like, racism. And I’m very grateful for her. …Venus always…she just said, ‘be authentically yourself and keep being you.’ Representation matters.”
— Coco Gauff [19:10]

Loren’s Personal Reflection

“Representation matters. I know that sounds so cliché, but I literally, to this day…remember being a kid sitting in the stands and watching [the Williams sisters] play at the US Open and looking around at the crowd and realizing, like, I don’t know exactly what I want to do…But the way that they are captivating and entertaining and, you know, in being like, you know, they got the braids like they’re Black girls doing it. I want to do this.”
— Loren LoRosa [19:30]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [01:35] Loren introduces her US Open experience, tying it to HBCU and Althea Gibson celebrations.
• [03:40] Discussion on the significance and overdue nature of honoring Gibson.
• [06:30] Commentary on ongoing Black underrepresentation at major tennis events.
• [11:00] Describing the atmosphere: "so Black and so brilliant."
• [11:30] Tribute artwork at the Open and Melissa Koby’s role.
• [15:00] Loren shares her coin toss experience; Gladys Knight’s appearance.
• [17:40] Personal call to action for deeper support of Black tennis excellence.
• [18:50-19:10] Clips from Venus Williams and Coco Gauff on Gibson’s impact.
• [19:30] Loren’s moving reflection on representation and growth.

Episode Takeaways

• The 2025 US Open was a powerful, overdue celebration of Althea Gibson’s legacy and Black excellence in tennis.
• The event embodied unity, pride, and a renewed commitment to visibility and substantive support for Black athletes.
• Loren encourages listeners to shift the conversation towards athletic accomplishment, not just personal narrative or barriers, and to make a conscious effort to engage more deeply with the sport and its history makers.

A special, emotionally resonant episode celebrating 75 years since Althea Gibson blazed a trail on tennis’s biggest stage—reminding us all of the continued importance of representation, community, and giving flowers to the ones who paved the way.