About Doug Smith

Doug Smith is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of successful achievement as an editor and writer with three of the the most influential newspapers in the United States – Newsday, The New York Post and USA Today.

After a five-year hiatus, I’ve finally returned to my internet reporter’s beat, which includes the world of sports, politics and anything else that stirs my juices. My emphasis, of course will continue to be sports, particularly tennis. Once the pro tours resume play, we’ll pick the young rising stars (men and women) on course to become the game’s next dominant pros. Meanwhile, the current news of the world must not be ignored. Covid-19 is expected to wreak havoc in the world much longer than previously predicted, and the premature death of unarmed people of color (especially black men) by members of our nation’s police force has driven a large – and still growing – rainbow of Americans to the streets in protest. Stayed tuned.

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Whirlwind: What The Reviews Say

“If we all agree that Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe were two of the most influential African Americans of the 20th century, then surely we must also agree that the man who taught and nurtured them is someone we should know more about. Doug Smith has delivered that here and I would urge anyone who has been inspired in any way by Althea and Arthur to read this book.”

John Feinstein, Author and former Washington Post columnist

“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.”

Bud Collins, Boston Globe/NBC Sports

“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.”

Zina Garrison, Former U.S. Fed Cup captain and former World No. 4

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

Tony Kornheiser, co-anchor of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption

“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.”

John McEnroe, Tennis Hall of Fame member and NBC/ESPN analyst and commentator