Reginald Weir facts for kids
Reginald Storum Weir (born September 30, 1911 – died August 22, 1987) was an American tennis star and a doctor. He made history by breaking barriers in the sport of tennis.
Breaking Barriers in Tennis
Reginald Weir was a very talented tennis player. He led the men's tennis team at the City College of New York. After finishing college in 1931, he became a national champion. He won the American Tennis Association (ATA) national title five times! He won in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1937, and 1942.
In 1929, Reginald Weir faced a big challenge. He and a partner tried to play in a tournament. This tournament was run by the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA). But they were turned away because Reginald was African-American. This was a time when many sports were segregated.
Years later, in 1948, he tried again. With support from the ATA, he finally got to play. He entered the USLTA's National Indoor Tournament in New York. This made him the first African-American man to play in a USLTA event. He won his first game on March 11, 1948. Even though he didn't win the whole tournament, his courage opened doors. His actions helped Althea Gibson play in the same tournament the next year. She became a famous tennis player too.
Life Outside of Tennis
Reginald Weir was born in Washington, D.C. on September 30, 1911. He lived in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where he passed away on August 22, 1987. Besides being a tennis champion, Weir was also a doctor. He studied medicine at New York University. He worked as a family doctor for 50 years, from 1935 to 1985.
