New York, NY (AHN) - Venus and Serena Williams have each made their own incredible tennis history decades after the legendary Althea Gibson paved the way for, not only the Williams sisters, but for all people of color, to play the game of tennis professionally.

Fittingly, each player will play their first round U.S. Open matches Monday night following a tribute that marks the 50th anniversary of Gibson's first Grand Slam singles title.

The USTA wisely scheduled each sister to play in consecutive matches under the lights on the tournament's first day.

Serena Williams, seeded eighth, will play Angelique Kerber of Germany, while No. 12 Venus will face a qualifier.

Venus Williams became the first African-American woman to win Wimbledon since Gibson while little sister Serena became the first African-American woman to win the U.S. Open since Gibson.

In 1950, Gibson became the first person of color, male or female, to ever compete in the U.S. National Championships, the tournament which eventually became the U.S. Open.

Gibson overpowered the field to win the event in 1957 and 1958 and also won the world's most prestigious tournament, Wimbledon, in 1957 and 1958 as well.

Gibson, who won five career grand slams, also broke the color barrier at Wimbledon, before going on to do the same in professional golf on the LPGA Tour.

When Gibson died in 2003, Venus Williams stated at the time, "I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis. Her accomplishments set the stage for my success, and through players like myself, Serena, and many others to come, her legacy will live on."