“It’s about time someone told the amazing story of ‘Whirlwind.’ Doug Smith has done it, portraying an American original, complex and vibrant, whose inspiration and drive gave us the champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.”

“While documenting the rarely publicized role that Dr. Robert Walter Johnson played in developing Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, America’s first two African American champions, Doug Smith provides us with something many might consider a scoop. Which is that many blacks helped grow the game of tennis as players, administrators and fans long before Venus and Serena Williams came along. I applaud Doug for telling this seemingly forgotten/overlooked part of the history of tennis in America.”

“This is a story that needed to be told and Doug Smith is the only one who could tell it.”

“Needless to say, our sport, our country, indeed the world community became a better place because of Althea and Arthur’s achievements. Dr. Johnson made it possible for them to succeed. His extraordinary role should be remembered, appreciated and applauded not just by African Americans, but also by everyone who strives for equality and justice.”