Inspired by his father, sports pioneer Robert Ryland grew up with a passion for tennis; often sleeping with his racket in anticipation for the next chance to play. He gained the attention of many during his high school tennis career and received a scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana where he began his college career in tennis. He left for service in the US Army and returned to play at Wayne State in Detroit and was one of the first black players to compete in the NCAA Championships and the first to reach the quarterfinals. 

He faced discrimination during his career and was often not allowed to eat in the same restaurants or sleep in the same hotels as his teammates. Once his college career ended, Ryland was unable to compete professionally so he continued to make his mark in the black leagues. He was successful in the American Tennis Association, the oldest African-American sports organization in the US, and quickly gained popularity in the black community. When he was invited to join Jack March’s World ProTennis Championships in 1959, he became the first professional African-American tennis player in the country at 38 years old. 

His talent inspired the entire African-American community, especially the youth. At 14-years old, his mentee, Arthur Ashe, Jr., mentioned that his dream was “to be good enough to beat Bob Ryland.” Ryland’s influence inspired Ashe to go on to be the first black man to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open. Once his own professional tennis career ended, Robert Ryland went on to coach and train some of the best teams and tennis players of our time. 

“He was instrumental in my career, touched so many lives and is the reason behind the growth of so many players of color in tennis today,” said Leslie Allen, another one of Ryland’s tennis mentees who achieved the ranking of #17 in the world during the 1980’s. 

Robert Ryland, Xavierite, mentor, tennis coach and champion, passed away on August 2, 2020, in New York City at 100 years old. He was the oldest person in the city to hold a tennis permit. Robert Ryland is currently part of the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame, Black Tennis Hall of Fame, USTA/Midwest Hall of Fame and the USTA/Eastern Section Hall of Fame. Though Ryland is often overlooked in the history of tennis due to his late professional start as a result of segregation in sports, he leaves behind a legacy of greatness and influence that has paved the way for generations to come. 

In many ways, the simple advice Robert Ryland once gave his tennis students can apply to all areas of life:

“I tell them to listen to your family. Listen to your coach. Study hard, play hard, eat the right food, do the right thing and you’ll make it.”