The WJF Tennis Racket Drive Is Under Way!
The WJF Racket Drive launched last weekend in Lynchburg, Va. Jennifer Smith Ramey, an adviser of the organization, traveled to country clubs and...
08 September, 2025
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Donate to the Whirlwind Window Campaign!
25 August, 2025
Historic Lynchburg tennis court hopes to welcome future legends
Plans are underway to train the next generation of tennis legends in Lynchburg. The Whirlwind Johnson Foundation held a community event on Thursday...
27 September, 2024
Rare find of Jackie Robinson autograph highlights Lynchburg Museum’s upcoming baseball exhibit
Amid the brittle phone bills and medical records strewn on the floor of a family friend’s house, Randy Smith saw something on yellow...
27 September, 2024
Dr. Johnson’s Historic Home Site featured for Give Good Day of Serving
The historic tennis courts at the home of Dr. Robert 'Whirlwind' Johnson was featured for local Lynchburg, VA youth sports players as one...
06 November, 2023
Bell Ringer: Dr. Robert Johnson and Tennis Desegregation
Dr. Robert Johnson has been featured on C-SPAN's teacher aid site in the Bellringer section. See the preamble and sample questions below: In addition...
17 August, 2023
Process of renovating Dr. Robert “Whirlwind” Johnson’s home is underway
Jolynn Johnson Smith never thought it would have taken quite so long to start restoring her grandfather’s home. Renovating the home at 1422 Pierce...
30 July, 2023
Dr. Johnson helped integrate tennis, hosting Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson
A foundation in Lynchburg is working to restore a home to honor a historic Black figure in the community. Dr. Robert Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson...
13 February, 2023
National Trust Awards $100K to Preserve Dr. J’s Historic Home
Dr. Robert Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson was the force behind the integration of African American tennis. A coach to two African American grand slam...
19 July, 2022
Tiger Classic crowns 10 champions
Tournament Partner - EDWARDSVILLE — After a year off due to the coronavirus, the Tiger Classic returned for its 26th edition of the...
20 June, 2021
Nathaniel Jackson: Forgotten Black Wilmington tennis champ never got a shot at greatness
For at least one day, Nathaniel Jackson achieved a greatness that had been denied him. So the story goes, that's the day when Jackson,...
13 February, 2021
Wilmington tennis legend Lenny Simpson: ‘Education is the foundation’
Lenny Simpson stood on the tennis court at 1406 Orange St. in Wilmington where, 67 years earlier, he'd peeked through the bushes to...
20 December, 2020
How Tennis Icon Arthur Ashe Became a Famous Example of Sportsmanship
Arthur Ashe might be the perfect example of an athlete whose impact was just as great off the court. Despite being one of...
05 November, 2020
Why Every Sports Fan Should Read Arthur Ashe’s 1988 Book on the History of Black Athletes
The world of men’s tennis is full of legendary figures. Two of them—Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—are still very much in the midst...
28 October, 2020
Big dreams for Lynchburg home that played a role in desegregating the game of tennis
Lange Johnson has big dreams for his grandfather’s home on Pierce Street — almost as big as the dreams Walter Johnson nurtured there...
27 August, 2020
Howard County High School’s Corinne Chau receives regional tennis award
Howard County High School’s Corinne Chau earned the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Sectional ServeItForward Youth Leader Award after spearheading a fundraising drive...
20 August, 2020
On lily-white tennis courts, a revolution
Arthur Ashe, the first black tennis player to overcome all manner of discrimination to win the US and Australian Open titles as well...
22 June, 2020
Why the IOC ban on protests at Tokyo Games is breathtaking hypocrisy
In a memoir published a few months after Arthur Ashe’s death the tennis champion reflected on one of the most famous demonstrations in...
23 February, 2020
Congratulations Black Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2020!
Read More: http://www.blacktennishalloffame.com/2020/01/congratulations-black-tennis-hall-of.html...
13 January, 2020
First Black Tennis Player Althea Gibson Honored at U.S. Open
Long before the exploits of Arthur Ashe or the Williams sisters, Althea Gibson was achieving historic results in the previously all-white world of...
29 August, 2019
Althea Gibson, Who Smashed Through Racial Barriers in Tennis, Honored With Statue at U.S. Open
Over the course of her staggering career, Althea Gibson vanquished barrier after barrier standing in the way of African-American tennis players. In 1950,...
28 August, 2019
TennisWorthy: Dr. Robert Johnson, Breaking Color Barriers from His Backyard
Walking past 1422 Pierce Street in Lynchburg, Virginia, it is easy to miss history. The property features a modest home with a modest...
15 February, 2019
Son of legendary Dr. J deserves own page in annals of black tennis history
When I asked tennis pro Julien Delaine if he knew Bobby Johnson Jr., the sparkle in his eyes told me the question had...
10 February, 2019
A Place for Us
Of the extremely limited public spaces where black children could frolic in segregation-era Richmond, Brook Field Park was the chief choice. Among the...
12 December, 2018
Benefit play highlights legacy of Dr. Robert Walter Johnson
The saying goes, Sunday’s children are full of grace. This is somehow rather fitting when it comes to the character of Dr. Robert Walter...
28 November, 2018
Historic tennis court reopens in Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A historic tennis court in Lynchburg has reopened. It's where African-American tennis legends Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe spent time practicing the...
25 May, 2018
Dr. Robert Johnson Tennis Court almost restored
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) -- The tennis court of a pioneer coach in Lynchburg is nearly fully restored. Dr. Robert Walter Johnson built the tennis...
24 May, 2018
Dr. Robert Johnson and Tennis Desegregation
Dr. Robert Johnson hosted a tennis camp at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia, starting in the 1940s where he coached young African Americans...
22 January, 2018
Restoring a Landmark for African-American Tennis Stars
LYNCHBURG, Va. — A historical signpost here at 1422 Pierce Street tells the story of Dr. Robert Walter Johnson, who fostered generations of...
26 August, 2017
Althea Gibson’s amazing win at Wimbledon in 1957 paved the way for Venus and Serena
When Venus Williams steps onto Centre Court at Wimbledon on Saturday to vie for her sixth title, she will be following in the...
14 July, 2017
Dr. Robert Walter Johnson, the ‘godfather’ of Black tennis
As Wimbledon gets underway in London, tennis will be a dominate discussion for several weeks. The world may have its eyes on the...
06 July, 2017
Fundraising continues to preserve home of Lynchburg doctor who helped break tennis color barrier
When Dr. J wasn’t making his rounds at Lynchburg General Hospital, he was molding tennis legends at his home and personal tennis court...
05 March, 2017
The Man who Helped Break the Color Barrier in Tennis: Recognizing Dr. “Whirlwind” Johnson
Decades ago at 1442 Pierce Street in Lynchburg, VA, a physician was quietly making history in the two-story house and adjoining tennis court....
07 January, 2016
Time to Save a Bit of Local History
In the space of just a few blocks just past Main Street that wrap around downtown Lynchburg can be found a treasure trove...
05 January, 2016
Family of Dr. Robert Johnson Seeks Help Restoring Historic Home and Tennis Court
This home tucked away on the corner of Pierce Street now worn with time was once a center of excellence. "It's just kind of...
03 January, 2016
Family of Godfather of Black Tennis looks to restore historic home and turn into tennis museum
Some of the greatest players in tennis history once played on an ordinary court that sits beside a two-story house on Pierce Street...
27 December, 2015
Va. doctor helped launch careers of black tennis pioneers
African-American tennis players, from Althea Gibson to Serena Williams, can trace their roots from the grass courts of Wimbledon back to a small,...
09 February, 2014
Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech by Lange Johnson
Ladies and Gentleman, honored guests, members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, members of the Class of 2009, it is...
04 December, 2009