The Prudential Center’s inaugural Racquet at the Rock tennis match was a historic night, showcasing the world’s top tennis talent and honoring the legacy of Althea Gibson. 

A longtime resident of New Jersey, Gibson was a trailblazer in women’s tennis, becoming the first black player to win a Grand Slam event in 1956. Gibson used her platform to speak out against racism and inequality, and paved the way for the inclusion of future athletes. The match’s ceremonial coin-toss was done with the newly minted quarter with Althea Gibson’s image on it, honoring Gibson’s legacy. The Althea Gibson Estate called the match “a touching acknowledgment of her enduring influence on the game and the barriers she broke along the way.”

Following the match, Anisimova, Pegula, Alcaraz, and Taifoe were presented the first-ever Althea Gibson Award, created to honor the “resilience, leadership, [and] unmatched ability to pivot and rise.” The announcer emphasized that, “just as Althea Gibson broke boundaries in tennis and golf, tonight’s honorees carry that tradition forward, inspiring the next generation of champions.” It was a powerful reminder of how the courage of individuals, past and present, creates progress in sport. 

“I like a few simple things to get my mind off: reading books, or listening to music, just something to relax and get my stress levels down after a tough day of training.”

Amanda Anisimova

For hometown hero Amanda Anisimova, the award’s themes of resilience, pivoting and rising certainly ring true. 

In May of 2023, Anisimova made the difficult decision to step away indefinitely from professional tennis, writing “I’ve really been struggling with my mental health and burnout since the summer of 2022. It’s become unbearable being at tennis tournaments,” and that she would be focusing on prioritizing her well-being. Her decision was met with support from fans, but also uncertainty. Many doubted she would ever be able to return to professional tennis. 

During her time away, Anisimova focused on finding herself and her interests outside of tennis. She leaned into her hobbies and even rediscovered her childhood love for art. Now, she’s implementing what she learned from her time away, saying, “I like a few simple things to get my mind off: reading books, or listening to music, just something to relax and get my stress levels down after a tough day of training.” 

Returning to the court in 2024, Anisimova is back and better than ever, delivering the strongest season of her career in 2025, including making the Wimbledon and US Open finals, and breaking into the top-5 rankings. She told the Wimbledon press, “being able to prove that you can get back to the top if you prioritize yourself [has] been incredibly special to me.” 

For the young girls in the stands, Gibson and Anisimova served as powerful role models, exemplifying the power in challenging the status quo and advocating for yourself. It’s through the resilience of athletes like Gibson and Anisimova that sport continues to move forward and is made better for the next generation of athletes.