Obituary: Angela Buxton
Angela Buxton, the former British tennis player and two-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, has died at the age of 85.
Liverpool-born Buxton, whose grandparents on both sides were Jewish, was an early pioneer of equal rights and herself faced anti-semitism throughout her career.
Buxton overcame prejudice by partnering lifelong friend Althea Gibson, the first black American player to win a Grand Slam singles title at the 1956 French Championships, to victory in the ladies’ doubles at both Roland Garros and the All England Club in 1956, becoming the first British-Jewish player to win a title at Wimbledon.
In what was a landmark season for Buxton, she also became the first British woman in 17 years to reach the ladies' singles final at Wimbledon, losing to American Shirley Fry.
Buxton’s playing career was cut short by a serious hand condition, and she was forced to retire at the end of the 1957 season, aged just 22.
Her impact on the sport continued far beyond her playing days. She was one of the first athletes to be inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, and also wrote several tennis books.
Buxton was also inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2015 for her bond with five-time Grand Slam singles champion Gibson, which remained strong long after their playing days.
Gibson, suffering from ill health after a stroke in 1992, called Buxton in 1995 and revealed she was in a dire financial situation. Looking to raise awareness of the American's plight, Buxton arranged for a letter to appear in US tennis magazine Tennis Week, which garnered widespread support and contributions that lifted Gibson out of her predicament.
Having acted without consulting Gibson, Buxton initially denied any involvement in the affair, but later admitted to her role – by which time Gibson had already found out for herself.
Billie Jean King and Katrina Adams, who have also championed equal rights through tennis, paid tribute to Buxton on social media.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of British tennis player Angela Buxton, friend and doubles partner of Althea Gibson,” King wrote. “It was wonderful to spend time with her and hear her words about Althea at the unveiling of her statue (at the US Open) last year. Rest In Peace to a true champion.”
Kartina Adams wrote: “My condolences to the family and friends of Angela Buxton after her passing August 14, 2020. She was laid to rest today. Angela was a British tennis player who championed the friendship and support of Althea Gibson when no one else would, in a racist era in our sport in the 1950s. Rest in peace.”