Who was the first black tennis player to win a Wimbledon singles title?

Introduction / Context:
Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and has a long history associated with tradition and social change. Breaking racial barriers at such a prestigious event is a significant landmark in sports history. This question asks you to identify the first black tennis player to win a Wimbledon singles title, a key milestone in both tennis and civil rights history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on Wimbledon singles titles, not doubles or mixed doubles.
• The question is about the first black player, irrespective of gender.
• Options list Althea Gibson, Serena Williams, Arthur Ashe, Venus Williams, and Zina Garrison.
• We assume official Grand Slam records and widely accepted historical accounts.

Concept / Approach:
Althea Gibson, an African American tennis player, became the first black athlete to win a Wimbledon singles title. She achieved this historic victory in 1957 in the women's singles event and successfully defended her title in 1958. Arthur Ashe did win the men's singles at Wimbledon later, and Serena and Venus Williams have several Wimbledon titles, but Althea Gibson was the pioneer who broke the colour barrier first.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question refers to the first black Wimbledon singles champion.Step 2: Recall that Althea Gibson won the Wimbledon women's singles title in 1957.Step 3: Note that Arthur Ashe, another important figure, won the men's singles later in 1975.Step 4: Recognise that Serena and Venus Williams became champions decades after Gibson.Step 5: Select Althea Gibson as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, remember that history books and documentaries often present Althea Gibson as a forerunner to later stars like Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters. She was the first black player allowed to compete in many top level tournaments and the first to win singles titles at both the French Championships and Wimbledon. These repeated references confirm her status as the first black Wimbledon singles champion.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Serena Williams and Venus Williams are modern legends with multiple Wimbledon singles titles, but they came long after Gibson and therefore cannot be the “first.” Arthur Ashe was the first black man to win the Wimbledon men's singles, but he was not the first black player overall, because Gibson preceded him on the women's side. Zina Garrison reached the Wimbledon singles final but did not win the title. All these names are important, but only Gibson fits the specific requirement in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Serena and Venus Williams are very prominent and recent in popular culture, some learners may incorrectly assume that one of them was the first black Wimbledon champion. Others may vaguely recall Arthur Ashe's achievement and choose him without considering that the question does not limit itself to men's singles. Carefully noting the word “first” and remembering the historical order of breakthroughs helps avoid such mistakes.

Final Answer:
The first black tennis player to win a Wimbledon singles title was Althea Gibson in 1957.