“He Was the Only Black Guy”: With 23 Titles Under His Belt, Tennis Legend’s 40YO Feat Revisited by Son and Kevin Garnett

In a captivating conversation on KG CERTIFIED, former NBA superstar Kevin Garnett sat down with a 13-year NBA veteran. While basketball was the central theme of their careers, the two delved into a different arena. The conversation eventually led to the father of KG’s guest; a tennis legend with an exceptional legacy. However, while talking about the 2-time NCAA champion’s father, the former hoopers reminded their fans of the 63-year-old tennis icon and his accomplishments.

Let’s dive in as these fierce rivals sit together and have a conversation transcending sporting boundaries.

Kevin Garnett brings a glimpse into a remarkable journey

On a recent episode, the Boston Celtics legend had Joakim Noah, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year in conversation. They talked about a lot of different things, reflecting back on time. Both players are former DPOYs so they share common ground. Eventually though, they discussed Joakim’s father.

The former World No.3 in tennis, Yannick Noah, is the last Frenchman to win the French Open. He won it in 1983, a vastly different time.

As Joakim  fondly reflected on his father’s influence, he painted a vivid picture of Yannick Noah’s competitive spirit.

In fact, Yannick’s tennis journey wasn’t just about excelling in a sport; it was a testament to his determination and resilience. The former Chicago Bulls big said, “You know he was uh playing in a white sport. You know he was the only black guy, and uh, today, this year, is his 40 years since he won the French Open.”

KG shared a glimpse on his Instagram story with a clip from the show.

Playing tennis as a Franco-Cameroonian athlete in a predominantly white sport presented its own set of challenges.

Yannick emerged as a trailblazer, becoming the only black player in a white-dominated field. The fact that this year marks the 40th anniversary of his French Open victory underscores the magnitude of his feat.

With 23 singles and 16 doubles titles, Yannick surely emerged as one of the true greats in the sport.

The crossroads of tennis and basketball

While they were talking about tennis, Kevin Garnett also touched upon Jo going for basketball rather than tennis.

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Furthermore, while chatting about Yannick Noah’s legacy, the duo shared lighthearted banter about their own tennis talent. Joakim’s candid confession about not being a tennis ace didn’t deter KG’s playful competitiveness. Jokes about tennis skills and challenging each other on the court added a personal touch to the conversation. Well, The Big Ticket always shares some amazing stuff with his fans on his social media.

The interesting discussion on KG Certified showed a part of Joakim’s life that goes beyond basketball. Through reminiscing about Yannick Noah’s extraordinary tennis career, the discussion underscored the values of perseverance and dedication that athletes like Yannick embody.

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