http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i9wPE7vlwA

Billie Jean King talks about being a female professional tennis player in the early 1970s. She discusses the famous 1973 tennis match called the Battle of the Sexes in in Houston, Texas where she beat her male opponent, Bobby Riggs: “By beating him, people started to change their hearts and minds…beyond tennis, it’s really more about society and how it helped be a symbol for change and I think there has been change. And we helped that change.”

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Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs: Battle of the Sexes appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiEFOiAF0zk

In this documentary narrated by Maya Angelou, tennis player Althea Gibson reflects on her successful career in the late 1950s and beyond. Gibson describes her experience at Wimbledon in 1957, during which she became the first black woman to win the tennis tournament. She reflects on the anxiety she felt while competing and the excitement of receiving the trophy from the Queen of England. In addition to Gibson’s influential tennis career, the documentary reflects on Gibson’s efforts in singing, acting and golf.

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Althea Gibson Reflects on Her Influential Tennis Career appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBYe7l_msS8

In this segment from “Althea Gibson: A Documentary,” Gibson is praised for becoming the first black woman to win the U.S. Open Women’s Singles Championship and Wimbledon in 1957. Fellow tennis players, such as Dr. Harold Freeman, discuss how Gibson’s triumphs were exceptional because tennis was previously offered exclusively to wealthy white people. Billie Jean King, another tennis player, explains how Gibson had to deal with the harsh racial climate of the ’50s and yet it did not affect her athletic prowess on the court. Gibson’s accomplishments broke boundaries for black athletes, and she became a symbol for the civil rights movements.

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How Althea Gibson Broke Boundaries for Black Athletes appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bTxbG2JOgI

People who were at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships react to watching the longest match in professional tennis history. John Isner of the United States defeated Nicolas Mahut of France in the Men’s Singles tournament first round after 11 hours, five minutes of play within over three days.

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‘The Atmosphere Was Absolutely Electric’ appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XME4LvWvbrA

Fans react to watching the Isner–Mahut tennis match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, the longest match in professional tennis history: “You’ve got to come to Wimbledon and watch the live event because you just never know what’s going to happen.” John Isner of the United States defeated Nicolas Mahut of France in the Men’s Singles tournament first round after 11 hours, five minutes of play within over three days.

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Longest Match in Professional Tennis History appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4xO2L7cwcI

Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, wife of tennis player Arthur Ashe, shares fond memories of her husband and explains how his untimely death and legacy affected the lives of many people.

The post Arthur Ashe
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe on His Lasting Legacy appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGnwxLVyTxA

Tennis player and AIDS activist Arthur Ashe speaks for the last time to the public about his diagnoses, the future of treatment and the importance of HIV and AIDS public awareness education.

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His Last Public Message on HIV & AIDS appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIAGxafTPT0

Fans of tennis player Arthur Ashe pay their respects to the AIDS victim and share their reactions to his death on February 6, 1993.

The post Arthur Ashe
Mourners React to the Death of Arthur Ashe appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRmXm3Vj_xk

In this interview with Charlie Rose, tennis player John McEnroe reacts to what other players said about his career and shares his thoughts on being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. McEnroe also discusses how he "mellowed" as he aged and explains how he would rank himself on the list of the best tennis players of all time. On January 21, 1990 he became the first player since 1963 to be disqualified from a Grand Slam for his behavior at the Australian Open.

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John McEnroe's Reaction to the Praise of His Peers appeared first on Witnify.