Althea Gibson Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. Where and when was Althea Gibson born?
A. Harlem, New York City, 1927
B. Clarendon County, South Carolina, August 25, 1927
C. Wilmington, North Carolina, 1930
D. Tallahassee, Florida, 1928
Answer: B. Clarendon County, South Carolina, August 25, 1927
Q2. What was Althea Gibson’s pioneering achievement in 1950 at the U.S. Nationals (precursor to the US Open)?
A. First African American to win the title
B. First woman to win a mixed doubles title
C. First African American to compete in the tournament
D. Youngest player to reach the finals
Answer: C. First African American to compete in the tournament
Q3. In what year did Althea Gibson become the first Black player to win a Grand Slam title, and at which tournament?
A. 1957 at Wimbledon
B. 1956 at the French Championships
C. 1958 at the US Nationals
D. 1957 at the Australian Championships
Answer: B. 1956 at the French Championships
Q4. How many Grand Slam singles titles did Althea Gibson win in her career?
A. 3
B. 7
C. 5
D. 4
Answer: C. 5
Q5. At which Grand Slam did Althea Gibson win her first singles title?
A. French Championships
B. US Nationals
C. Wimbledon
D. Australian Championships
Answer: A. French Championships
Q6. In which two consecutive years did Althea Gibson win both Wimbledon and the US Nationals singles titles?
A. 1956 and 1957
B. 1957 and 1958
C. 1958 and 1959
D. 1955 and 1956
Answer: B. 1957 and 1958.
Q7. What was Althea Gibson’s highest world ranking in women’s tennis?
A. No. 1
B. No. 2
C. No. 3
D. No. 4
Answer: A. No. 1
Q8. How many total Grand Slam titles (singles, doubles, and mixed) did Althea Gibson win?
A. 8
B. 11
C. 7
D. 13
Answer: B. 11
Q9. Who presented the trophy to Althea Gibson after her 1957 US Nationals victory?
A. Queen Elizabeth II
B. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
C. Vice President Richard Nixon
D. New York Mayor
Answer: C. Vice President Richard Nixon
Q10. What sport did Althea Gibson pioneer as the first African American woman on its professional tour after her tennis career?
A. Basketball
B. Professional golf (LPGA)
C. Track and field
D. Bowling
Answer: B. Professional golf – LPGA
Q11. Althea Gibson dominated the American Tennis Association (ATA) circuit. How many consecutive national women’s titles did she win there starting in 1947?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 10
Answer: D. 10
Q12. In what year was Althea Gibson inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame?
A. 1965
B. 1971
C. 1980
D. 1975
Answer: B. 1971
Q13. What style of play was Althea Gibson particularly known for that helped redefine women’s tennis?
A. Baseline rallying
B. Powerful serve and volley
C. Drop shots and lobs
D. Defensive counter-punching
Answer: B. Powerful serve and volley
Q14. After winning Wimbledon in 1957, who presented Althea Gibson with the Venus Rosewater Dish?
A. Queen Elizabeth II
B. The Duke of Edinburgh
C. The Wimbledon Chairman
D. Princess Margaret
Answer: A. Queen Elizabeth II
Q15. Where did Althea Gibson primarily grow up and first develop her tennis skills?
A. Wilmington, North Carolina
B. Florida A&M University campus
C. Silver, South Carolina
D. Harlem, New York City
Answer: D. Harlem, New York City
Q16. How many times was Althea Gibson named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year?
A. Once (1957)
B. Three times
C. Twice (1957 and 1958)
D. Never
Answer: C. Twice (1957 and 1958)
Q17. In addition to tennis, what other entertainment fields did Althea Gibson pursue professionally?
A. Acting in a John Wayne movie and recording a jazz album
B. Professional dancing
C. Writing novels
D. Television hosting
Answer: A. Acting in a John Wayne movie and recording a jazz album
Q18. What was Althea Gibson’s final career singles record highlight at major tournaments?
A. 53-9
B. 40-5
C. 67-10
D. 45-8
Answer: A. 53-9
Q19. In what year did Althea Gibson become the first African American to compete at Wimbledon?
A. 1949
B. 1950
C. 1951
D. 1956
Answer: C. 1951
Q20. Althea Gibson won the French Championships doubles title in 1956 with which partner?
A. Darlene Hard
B. Angela Buxton
C. Louise Brough
D. Maria Bueno
Answer: B. Angela Buxton
Q21. What significant administrative role did Althea Gibson hold in New Jersey from 1975 to 1985?
A. Mayor of a city
B. Commissioner of Athletics
C. Governor’s sports advisor
D. University athletic director
Answer: B. Commissioner of Athletics
Q22. How many Wimbledon women’s singles titles did Althea Gibson win?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 2
D. 4
Answer: C. 2
Q23. What was one of Althea Gibson’s early mentors who helped her train in Wilmington, North Carolina?
A. Dr. Hubert A. Eaton
B. Alice Marble
C. Sydney Llewellyn
D. Angela Buxton
Answer: A. Dr. Hubert A. Eaton
Q24. In which Grand Slam did Althea Gibson reach the singles final but finish as runner-up in 1957?
A. French Open
B. Wimbledon
C. Australian Championships
D. US Nationals
Answer: C. Australian Championships
Q25. How many consecutive years did Althea Gibson win the Wimbledon women’s doubles title (1956-1958)?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 1
Answer: B. 3