From: Australia
Born: 31 July 1951
Career: 1967-1983
Played: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Peak rank: 1 (1976)
Major singles titles: 7
Total singles titles: 86
In July 1971, the prestigious lawns of Wimbledon were graced by the usual tennis titans. Margaret Court, the #1 seed, was fresh off her 1970 Calendar Slam and had just defended her title in Australia, marking her sixth consecutive Major victory. Despite a surprising third-round exit in Paris to unseeded Gail Chanfreau, Court remained the favorite on Wimbledon’s grass courts.Billie Jean King, the world’s #2, was on a comeback after knee surgery in 1970. She had skipped the Australian and French Opens but was determined to reclaim her form. The previous year, King and Court had clashed in one of the most memorable Wimbledon finals, with Court narrowly winning 14-12, 11-9. Despite a slow start, 1971 would become one of King’s best years, as she went on to win 17 of the 31 tournaments she entered, including the final Major at Forest Hills.Other formidable contenders included Rosie Casals, seeded 4th, England’s Virginia Wade at 5th, and Nancy Richey Gunter. The stage was set for an epic battle among the cream of women’s tennis.
A Rising Star from the Outback
Amidst these seasoned champions, a new name emerged—Evonne Goolagong, a 19-year-old Aboriginal girl from the Australian Outback. Born to Kenny Goolagong and Melinda of the Wiradjuri People in New South Wales, Evonne’s journey to the top began in the small town of Barellan. Spotted by assistants of Sydney-based coach Vic Edwards, she was whisked away to his Tennis School at the age of 14. By 16, she was already making waves, reaching the third round of her first Australian Championship. However, her brilliance was often marred by lapses of concentration, humorously dubbed “walkabouts.”
A Breakthrough at Roland Garros
Before her Wimbledon triumph, Goolagong made a historic breakthrough at Roland Garros in 1971. At just 19, she claimed her first Grand Slam singles title, becoming the first woman since Althea Gibson in 1956 to win the French Open on debut
Goolagong, seeded third, advanced to the final without dropping a set, defeating fellow Australian Helen Gourlay 6-3, 7-5, despite trailing 0-3 and 2-5 in the second set. This victory marked a significant milestone as she became the first Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam, earning her the Australian of the Year honors
The Wimbledon Challenge
Goolagong’s path to glory at Wimbledon was anything but easy. Despite a shaky start against fellow Aussie Leslie Hunt, where she lost the first set, Evonne rebounded to win comfortably. She then dismantled the 6th seed Nancy Richey Gunter in the quarterfinals and faced Billie Jean King in the semis. With poise and precision, she defeated King in straight sets, setting up a final showdown with Margaret Court.
Against the Big Names
Court’s game plan was straightforward—unleash powerful serves and dominate the net. Yet, Goolagong’s agility and sharp groundstrokes turned the tide. Breaking Court’s serve early, Evonne claimed the first set 6-4. The second set saw Goolagong dismantling the defending champion’s strategy, winning 6-1, and etching her name on the coveted trophy.
Evonne first met Evert in the 1972 Wimbledon semis, where Evonne pulled out with a third-set rally, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Goolagong won their initial championship encounter, the 1974 Australian, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-0. Their tightly contested 1975 US Open contest was a three-setter that Goolagong lost 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, and their 1976 Wimbledon final also resulted in a three-set thriller that Goolagong lost 6–3, 4–6, 8–6.
She beat rising star Martina Navratilova for her second Australian Open title in 1975. After that, Evert and Navratilova would dominate the Ladies’ Tour for the latter half of the decade of the 1970s (though Goolagong was ranked World No. 1 in 1976). In 1980, Goolagong became only the third mother in history to win Wimbledon (in a parallel with Kim Clijsters’ 2009 USO experience). She upset Tracy Austin in the semifinal and Evert in the final of the 1980 Wimbledon.
The Aftermath and Legacy
While Evonne’s Wimbledon triumph marked the pinnacle of her career, her subsequent journey was a rollercoaster. She skipped the U.S. Open alongside Court, who was pregnant, and although she reached multiple finals in 1972 and 1973, victories eluded her. The emergence of stars like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova added to the stiff competition.Goolagong’s resilience shone through as she claimed the Australian Open in 1974 and reached the U.S. Open final. Her personal life intertwined with her career when she married British tennis player Roger Cawley in 1975. Despite reaching more finals, including a remarkable Wimbledon victory in 1980, motherhood soon took precedence, and she gradually stepped away from full-time competition.With seven Major titles to her name, Goolagong’s legacy as a trailblazer for women’s tennis endures. Her journey from the Australian Outback to tennis greatness stands as a testament to her talent and determination, securing her place as one of the finest athletes Australia has ever produced. Her impact continues through the Evonne Goolagong Foundation, inspiring young Indigenous Australians to follow their dreams