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Sports of The Times: Althea Gibson’s Life a Prequel to Serena Williams’s Success

As Serena Williams left the interview room Monday evening and walked down a long corridor, I asked her if she had seen the Althea Gibson documentary that is making the rounds.

“I just got it,” she said, pointing to her bag. “I’m looking forward to watching it.”

I’m not sure if Williams should watch the film at such an emotional time or just wait until her run at a Grand Slam is over. The story of Gibson, the great tennis champion who died in 2003 and would have been 88 on Aug. 25, dredges up feelings of anger, inspiration and gratitude.