Robert "Whirlwind" Johnson, MD

Dr. Robert “Whirlwind” Johnson received his nickname for his football prowess, however, he was best known for his contributions in the development of tennis programs in the United States, particularly for black youth.  He is credited with personally molding the careers of such world-renowned tennis stars as Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.  Both Gibson and Ashe were the first black individuals to win at Wimbledon.

Johnson, a Norfolk native, graduated from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.  He was named as a football All-American in 1924.  Johnson became interested in tennis in 1933 while doing an internship at Prairie View, Texas.  He won over fifty trophies in doubles and mixed doubles competition and won six National Championships.

Due to his own proficiency, Dr. Johnson had an impulse to involve everyone he met in tennis.  He personally formed the ATA Junior Development program in which boys and girls received tennis training at no cost.  Johnson secured well over 100 tennis scholarships for his players at such outstanding universities as UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania.

In order to continue his pursuit for excellence with the Junior Development Program, Johnson declined to serve as President of the American Tennis Program and chose to serve as Vice President instead.  He then organized the ATA National Interscholastic Championships.

Johnson’s service to youth was recognized in the receipt of such awards as the Certificate of Merit by the Baltimore Tennis Club, the Atlanta Georgia 100% Wrong Club Award, and the Lincoln University Alumni Award.   In the dedication of his book, Dr. Frederick West cited Dr. Johnson for his work with the youth of America and his work for community and race relations in the United States.