People who like to underestimate the sport of tennis can’t seem to look past the often bright clothing and skorts.

Real appreciators of the sport can see that there is a ton of strength, skill, power, and passion behind tennis and its players. 

Black women have been paving their way through professional tennis for nearly a century now.

From Althea Gibson to Serena Williams to Naomi Osaka, here are 11 Black female tennis players who have made tons of strides and experienced major achievements in the sport.

A lot has changed over the last few decades.

People like to talk about hair trends like they don’t apply to men, but let me be the one to tell you – we care too.

In the 90s, men were rocking high top fades.

In the 2000s, I joined the thousands of men who were trying to make sure their waves were on point.

The 2010s had me spending hours with curl brushes trying to grow small locs.

Now, myself and tons of Black men are once again reverting back to the days of wearing our durags to protect waves.

Waves are an art form, especially when you execute them correctly. 

And while we had to put in work in the 2000s to get them, things are much easier now.

I’m really just trying to help a brother out.

If you’ve never tried the style or are clueless on how to get started, here’s how to get waves as a beginner.