Althea Gibson | Alison van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen | Rowland Emett | Poetry books | Steve Bell
Your article on Venus and Serena Williams and how they “paved the way” for black players on the tennis tour (Gauff gets to thank Venus for growing influence, 3 July) overlooked the achievements of Althea Gibson. In 1956 she became the first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam event and would go on to win another 10, including Wimbledon twice. Bob Ryland, a former coach of Venus and Serena, said neither would have beaten Althea Gibson.
Colin Maitland
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
• I hope Alison van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen, the first openly gay couple to play doubles at Wimbledon (Report, 4 July), will appreciate the irony of their winning in straight sets.
Martin Cotton
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire