Top 5 female African-American tennis players

Since Althea Gibson took to professional tennis at the United States National Championships (now the US Open) in 1950, the game has seen many talented African-American athletes. Gibson was the first African-American player of either gender to play professinal tennis. In 1956, she beat British Angela Mortimer to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open.The South Carolina player went on to win two Wimbledon titles (1957, 58), two US Open trophies (1957, 58) and the 1957 Australian Open. Gibson was one of the very first inductees into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame and also features in the National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame.She was an African-American icon and was widely revered by her contemporaries and stars of the next generation. Her legacy in the sport is still alive and it's no surprise that Sports Illustrated for Women named her to its list of the "100 Greatest Female Athletes".Current African-American star Serena Williams was a huge fan of Gibson and was inspired by her to take up the sport. According to an oft-told story, Serena had faxed a letter to Gibson in 1999 asking her questions and tips to improve her technique.Serena was then a promising talent, pushing her way up to No. 9 in the WTA charts, but lacked the big match mentality. The then 18-year-old had given quite a scare to 14th seed Frenchwoman Sandrine Testud in the 3rd round of the Australian Open, but ultimately succumbed to the occasion. Gibson replied to the teenager's questions and guided her, and Serena went on to win her first Grand Slam at the 1999 US Open. Beating Martina Hingis, Serena became the first African-African woman in 41 years (since Gibson) to win a Grand Slam.Here's a look at the sport's current top five female African-American talents plying their trade on the circuit.

#5 Taylor Townsend

Taylor Townsend has made quite a name for herself in the junior women's tennis circuit. The Chicago girl was crowned champion at the 2012 junior Australian Open.

Her exploits in the junior circuit have led to a lot of expectations being pinned on this African-American teenager. She has already gained plaudits from several previous greats. The teenager was ranked number 1 in the WTA junior singles ranking, making her the first American in 30 years to end the year on top.

Townsend was ousted by 14th seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the third round at the 2014 French Open. Making a wildcard entry into Roland Garros, Townsend stunned World Number 65 Vania King and World Number 20 (and highest seeded Frenchwoman) Alize Cornet before Suarez Navarro ended her run.

Townsend has a history of being a little lackadaisical about her fitness training and was asked to sit out of the 2012 US Open Junior tournament due to being overweight. But she has shown a lot of improvement and seriousness towards fitness since, appointing former World Number 4 and African-American tennis legend Zina Garrison as her coach.

Hopefully this 19-year-old can carry her junior level success over to the big stage.