In the 1940s and 1950s, Shady Rest Country Club became a nurturing ground for tennis, contributing significantly to the sport's history. With six clay tennis courts located where the current ninth-hole green lies, the club was a focal point for local and regional tennis tournaments, attracting players and spectators alike. Many members played tennis in tournaments and recreationally. Bleachers were built to accommodate the families and local community members who regularly watched tennis at the course.
Althea Gibson, half-length portrait, holding tennis racquet. c.1956.
New York World Telegram & Sun photo by Fred Palumbo
Althea Gibson: A Trailblazer on the Court
Althea Neale Gibson, who would go on to break barriers in tennis, was a familiar figure at Shady Rest. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open, and a year later, she claimed victories at Wimbledon and the US Nationals, a precursor to the US Open. Her legacy also extended to the golf course, where she became the first black women's professional golfer.
A Legend in the Making
Regularly participating in both tennis and golf at Shady Rest, Althea Gibson was a role model and a coach to many, often seen playing matches or imparting her knowledge to younger players. Her presence at Shady Rest underscored the club's role in shaping sporting history.
A Hotbed for Rivalries and Championships
The club was also the scene of intense rivalries, most notably between the Cosmopolitan Tennis Club of New York and Shady Rest's own players. This interstate competition brought a spirited dynamic to the courts, creating memorable matches and fostering a robust tennis community.
In the summer of 1948, from July 28 to August 1, Shady Rest hosted the Eastern Open Championship, an event sanctioned by the American Tennis Association, confirming its status as a premier venue for African American tennis. The club even served as the headquarters for the American Tennis Association for a time, further cementing its importance in the sport's history.
Althea Gibson and Shady Rest's Tennis Legacy
Explore the legacy of Althea Gibson at Shady Rest in our featured video, highlighting her journey as the first African American Grand Slam tennis champion. Experience the storied courts that were integral to her historic career.
Don't see the video? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
Statue of Althea Gibson, north of Franklin Street in Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ, USA.
The New York – New Jersey Tennis Rivalry
Cosmopolitan Tennis Club members formed a strong rivalry with tennis members from across the Hudson River. While New York was represented by Cosmopolitan Tennis Club, New Jersey was represented by Shady Rest Country Club. The inaugural match between the two states was held at Shady Rest, but that year, an increase in mosquitoes disgruntled the New York participants.
A reporter from Amsterdam News named New Jersey “The Mosquito State”, and the New Jersey tennis team as “The New Jersey Mosquitoes.” The New York tennis team was much more successful over New Jersey. Headlines from the match stated: “New York Again Extracts Sting of the Famous New Jersey Mosquitoes.”
American Tennis Association
From Wednesday, July 28, to Sunday, August 1st, 1948, the Shady Rest hosted the Eastern Open Championship. The tournament was sanctioned by the American Tennis Association.
The Shady Rest was also the headquarters for the American Tennis Association for a short period of time in the 1940s.