Full Version: Q&A with Author Cecil Harris

Q&A with Author Cecil Harris

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
By Brian Cleary

There were few people on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center last night with a richer appreciation for the ceremony honoring Althea Gibson than Cecil Harris, author of the book “Charging the Net: A History of Blacks in Tennis from Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe to the Williams Sisters.’’ Harris, a sports writer, and his co-Author, Larryette Kyle-DeBose, interviewed more than 65 people in an attempt to chronicle and draw light on the many experiences of blacks in professional tennis, from the 1940s to today.

Harris, who is African-American, first became interested in tennis when he saw Arthur Ashe play on television back in the mid-1970s. Yet, he and his brother were reluctant to attend the Open back then, while it was played at Forest Hills, because, as he recalls, they didn’t see many black faces in the crowd [on television]. “That kind of intimidated us from going,’’ Harris admits.

That’s why Harris is thrilled and appreciative of how the Open, and tennis, has evolved. “I love the diversity out here,’’ he said, referring not just to the players but to the fans as well. “You see a lot more people of Asian descent. African-Americans, Hispanics. It’s a nice mix and it reflects what America is today.’’

Harris sat down for this interview on the grounds of the National Tennis Center, proud to look up on occasion and see the name Arthur Ashe on the entrance of the world’s largest tennis stadium.


What was your inspiration for writing “Charging the Net”?

The idea basically came to me at after an abortive attempt to interview Althea Gibson in 1992, here at the US Open. I wanted to do a feature story on her for the Gannett Westchester Newspaper, after I saw her watching a match in the stands. And when I approached her she essentially said, “well, how much do you pay?’’ And when I said we didn’t pay for stories, she said, “then I’m not giving the interview. I’m not giving anything else away.” That stayed with me. And I said, “One day, I want be able to do a book where I can not only tell her story, but tell stories about other black tennis players, those who proceeded her and those who came after, and basically bring it up to the present day. Because too many people seem to think that black participation in tennis began with the Williams sisters. The William sisters are great. But there’s a rich history before them, and the William Sisters are a part of it.

What are your thoughts tonight, with Althea being inducted posthumously into the US Open Court of Champions?

Well, first of all, my first thought is, she deserves it. My only regret is that it wasn’t done during her lifetime. She died in 2003. I wish someone had conceptualized a US Open Court of Champions during her lifetime, because she could have been, should have been, one of the first inductees. Not enough people know about her at all. As recently as a week ago I was out at the GHI Bronx Classic, and a young reporter from Cablevision was doing a stand-up and she said, “Arthur Ashe, the first African-American to win Wimbledon and the US Open.’’ And I scribbled a note and handed it to her producer. And she read it and she said, “Are you sure?’’ And I said, “Yes, I am sure. Althea Gibson was the first. Althea Gibson won Wimbledon and the US Open in 1957. Arthur Ashe won the US Open in 1968 and Wimbledon in 1975.” And she said, “Oh, O.K.,’’ and she revised her stand up. But there are just so many people who don’t know Althea Gibson, and I think that’s a shame.

Althea grew up in Harlem. 135 West 143rd St. I went to the building to see if there would be a plaque. Because, you know, if you go to Paris, you can see the home where Van Gogh lived, where he actually created many of his greatest paintings while living in Paris. But you go to 135 West 143rd St. in Harlem, and there’s no sign that Althea Gibson ever lived there. I mean, it wouldn’t be hard to put a plaque on the building: “Here was once the home of Althea Gibson, international tennis Hall-of-Famer, two-time Wimbledon Champion, two-time US Open Champion.” So the people on the block, the people in the building, would have a sense of pride.

What most impressed you about her record?

I mean, she didn’t play Forest Hills the first time until she was 23. Contrast that with Venus playing in her first US Open in 1997 at age 17. Serena winning her first US Open in 1999 at age 17. She won 11 Grand Slams in singles, doubles and mixed-doubles, in an incredible three-year period. But she could have possibly doubled that.

Another thing about Althea, and why she holds a special place in my heart is that she is unsung. That’s why my co-author, Larryette Kyle-DeBose and I dedicated the book to her. We wanted her to be the only person mentioned on the dedication page. Even though Arthur Ashe was important to me, too. But Althea Gibson is so unsung. You could have put her picture in the dictionary next to the word unsung because for far too long she has personified that word. I hope that ends tonight.

Things have come a long way since Althea, but in talking to African-American players today, do they feel like they are now on a totally even playing field?

I don’t think they would say it’s a totally even playing field. But I know they acknowledge that the opportunities are there now. To succeed. I mean, no one is stopping Serena or Venus Williams from entering any tournament they want. So the playing field has been leveled to a certain extent. I think maybe, when it comes to the issues of wild-cards, it’s still a little tricky. A lot of the black players and black tennis parents, like William Washington, have been outspoken in saying they don’t believe that black tennis players who are up-and-coming get the wild cards as readily as white players who are up-and-coming. But once you have at least made it to the main draw of a major, nothing is stopping you from being as great as you can be. Donald Young can play wherever he wants to play, and be as good as his talent allows. And that’s very important. That is what Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe struggled to create.

What kind of an impact has Serena and Venus had on the African American tennis community?

They are really inspiring the current generation of young black players. There are a lot of teenagers today, whose names we don’t necessarily know, who are playing tennis because they saw the Williams Sisters. Remember how they looked 10 years ago, with the beads and the braids, the style that a lot of young black boys and girls relate to strongly. And they were winning. And they became No. 1 and No. 2 in the world. It’s good to have that style, that look. But to be great also. Venus, winner of six Grand Slam titles. Serena, winner of eight Grand Slam titles. That inspires people even more. If they retire today, Venus and Serena waltz into the Hall of Fame. I contend there may never be two siblings like them again, ever. For this generation, for the teen-age black player, Venus and Serena are the ones that they look up to. Donald Young and many of the young black players coming up, they are of the Williams era.

I began the book with Venus and Serena, and ended with them because they are global superstars. It’s a time when tennis is such a global sport that you can become phenomenally successful and incredibly rich as tennis players. And I contrast that with Althea Gibson, who never really made money. But Althea made it possible for Venus and Serena to make so much money. And the good thing is, they both know it. I have that quote from Serena in the book. Serena said, “Althea made it possible for me to be here.” And the sincerity with which she said it, she wasn’t programmed. And I think that’s great. I give Richard and Oracene Williams tremendous credit for teaching their children about Althea, about Arthur, about the fact that they are part of a rich legacy.