“I thought I would never see a semifinal with two black players at the US Open in my life”
The Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe confirmed the first ‘Black American’ semifinal of the US Open on the day that commemorated the victory of Arthur Ashe in 1968. A pioneer paving the way for future generations, a defender of human rights who fought to integrate the black community into a sport that had long been white. He, who gives his name to the center court of Flushing Meadows, and Althea Gibson They rowed against the current at the origins.
Both are part of the fight of that ‘Black Power’ that the athletes symbolized Tommie Smith and John Carloswho raised their black-gloved fist and lowered their heads as the United States anthem played on their iconic 200-meter podium at the 1968 Mexico Games.
“My heart is so full of happiness,” he expressed on social networks. Serena Williamswhich represents for modern women’s tennis what it once provided Tiger Woods in golf. They broke racial barriers.
Serena underlined her joy with the fact that the winner of Tiafoe-Shelton will be the first black finalist in the Open since Arthur Ashe in 1972. In Grand Slam, Malivai Washington, who lost the 1996 Wimbledon final.
The Williamses are very much to blame for the fact that there is not so much historical relevance in the women’s field. As a recent memory the final Sloane Stephens-Madison Keys in 2017, in the present edition Coco Gauff has been in the fight to add another success to that of 2023. Like the double players Taylor Townsend and Robin Montgomery.
Gauff acknowledged that “I never thought that in my life I would have the opportunity to see a semifinal of black players in the men’s field. You looked as a child who played them and you didn’t think this could happen. It’s great.”
He has a very special relationship with Frances Tiafoe“a source of inspiration, he transmits light and joy on the circuit, but I also have a lot of respect for Ben,” he noted.
They start from very different facilities. Bryan Sheltonprofessional tennis player and later coach at the University of Florida, where his son earned all honors. His mother, Lisa, is the sister of Todd Witskenin his day a great doubles player.
Frances Tiafoe’s father, of the same name and born in Sierra Leonewas in charge of maintaining a tennis center in Maryland. ‘Big Foe’ helped him with his work and took advantage of the stage to play and win a scholarship at a very young age to be able to pursue his dream.
