A Barrier-Breaking Pioneer in Tennis
Branch Curington, a native of Atlanta, made history as the first African American in Georgia to be certified as a tennis teaching professional.
Despite facing numerous barriers and challenges throughout his life, Curington dedicated over 50 years to teaching and coaching the sport, leaving an indelible mark on the tennis community in Atlanta and beyond.
“He was the first African-American in Georgia to be certified as a tennis teaching professional, and many of the city’s elite would take lessons from him on their lunch breaks,” said Curington’s daughter-in-law, Rosalyn Curington.
From Ball Boy to Renowned Coach
Curington’s journey in the world of tennis began at a young age when he started working at the Piedmont Driving Club, a whites-only facility at the time.
As a 13-year-old, he worked in the tennis maintenance department, preparing the courts for play and serving as a ball boy. It was here that he taught himself to play tennis by observing the members.
After serving in World War II, Curington returned to the Piedmont Driving Club, eventually becoming the head court attendant. It was during this time that the club’s tennis pro, Welby Van Horn, recognized Curington’s talent and urged him to move to California to further develop his skills.
However, Curington chose to stay in Atlanta, proving Van Horn wrong and becoming an assistant tennis pro at the Piedmont Driving Club.
Revolutionizing Tennis in Atlanta
In 1964, Curington’s career took a significant turn when Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen approached him to run the newly built Washington Park Tennis Center. Recognizing Curington’s expertise and commitment to the sport, Allen knew he was the perfect person for the job.
Curington accepted the role and went on to work at the Washington Park Tennis Center for 25 years, during which time he made a profound impact on the Atlanta tennis community.
“He vowed to never ‘turn a child away from the courts for social, or economic reasons beyond the youngster’s control,’” a testament to his dedication to making the sport accessible to all.
Mentoring Generations of Tennis Players
Under Curington’s guidance, many prominent Atlantans learned to play tennis, including mayors Andrew Young and Maynard Jackson, baseball great Hank Aaron, and businessman Herman Russell.
Remarkably, around 50 of Curington’s students went on to play tennis in college, often with the aid of scholarships.
“He was very proud of all of them” and helped many of them go to college on tennis scholarships, his daughter-in-law said. Curington’s impact extended beyond the court, as he served as a mentor and second father to many of his students, like Atlantan Kelvin Byrd, who said, “I’m surviving life in tennis because of Branch.”
A Legacy of Excellence and Inclusion
Branch Curington’s induction into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016 was a well-deserved recognition of his lifelong commitment to the sport and his unwavering dedication to promoting inclusivity and accessibility in tennis.
