Berkeley's Historic Black Tennis Club Recalls National Championship Wins

The San Pablo Tennis Club was a hub for Black tennis players during the civil rights era.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The predominantly-Black San Pablo Tennis Club in Berkeley, California was the first Black tennis club to win a U.S. Tennis Association national championship title. At its peak in the 1970s and 80s, the club had hundreds of members and produced national champion teams. Though no longer active, the club holds a special place in the history of Black tennis and the civil rights movement.

Why it matters

The San Pablo Tennis Club provided a rare space for the Black community to thrive in tennis during a time of segregation. Its national championship wins were a groundbreaking achievement that challenged racial barriers in the sport.

The details

The San Pablo Tennis Club was founded in 1954 by Laura Bennett, who gathered members of the local Black community to play tennis and build a sense of belonging. At its height, the club had hundreds of members and produced national champion teams, including an all-Black men's 3.0 team that won the USTA championship in 1987. The club also brought women's and men's teams to the nationals in 1987 and 1988. Though no longer actively competing, the club remains an important part of Berkeley's history and a symbol of the Black community's resilience and athletic excellence.

  • The San Pablo Tennis Club was founded in 1954.
  • The club's all-Black men's 3.0 team won the USTA national championship in 1987.
  • The club also brought women's and men's teams to the nationals in 1987 and 1988.

The players

Laura Bennett

The founder of the San Pablo Tennis Club who began gathering members of the local Black community to play tennis in 1954.

William Pulliam

A former president of the San Pablo Tennis Club during its heyday.

Tamara Bell Cosby

A former club member whose parents were some of the original players.

Roger Alston

A former club member who still plays on the courts six days a week.

James McGee

A former club member who was on the team of ten Black men that won the USTA men's 3.0 championship in 1987.

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What they’re saying

“If you could play here, you could play anywhere.”

— Tamara Bell Cosby, Former club member (KTVU)

“It was a place, very important, where Black players could get good competition. You can't learn to play without good competition.”

— Roger Alston, Former club member (KTVU)

“Being an all-Black team, the first to ever do it, and the last to ever do it. 39 years later we still have that record.”

— William Pulliam, Former club president (KTVU)

What’s next

The San Pablo Tennis Club hopes the next generation of players will pick up the mantle and continue its legacy of excellence.

The takeaway

The San Pablo Tennis Club's national championship wins were a groundbreaking achievement that challenged racial barriers in tennis during the civil rights era, and the club remains an important part of Berkeley's history and a symbol of the Black community's resilience and athletic prowess.