Evonne Goolagong

Evonne Goolagong Cawley is an Australian former professional tennis player of Aboriginal descent who won seven Grand Slam singles titles across the 1970s.

Evonne Fay Goolagong was born on 31 July 1951 in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, the third of eight children of Ken and Melinda Goolagong, both Wiradjuri people, and grew up in the small town of Barellan during the era of Australia's Stolen Generations, when Indigenous children could be forcibly removed from their families. She learned tennis by hitting a ball against a water tank with a paddle cut from a fruit crate, and her mother sewed her first tennis dress from an old bed sheet. At just nine, Goolagong received her first proper racquet, and at 13 left her family to live with coach Vic Edwards and his family in Sydney, who would shape and manage her career. Her rise to the top of world tennis made her one of the first Indigenous Australians to achieve national and international sporting prominence, though her early tours drew intrusive media attention focused as much on her heritage as her tennis. Goolagong won her first Wimbledon title in 1971 at 19, becoming the second-youngest champion in the tournament's history at the time, and went on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles in total: four Australian Opens, one French Open, and two Wimbledons, the second coming in 1980 as the first mother to win the Wimbledon singles title in 66 years. English journalists dubbed her the "Sunshine Supergirl" for her graceful, fluid playing style. Goolagong was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire and later an Officer of the Order of Australia, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988. She has remained a lifelong advocate for Indigenous Australians, establishing development camps encouraging Indigenous youth to stay in school through tennis.

Goolagong possessed exceptional natural athleticism and court coverage, moving gracefully around the court with fluid footwork. Her game featured strong groundstrokes from both wings and an attacking style that could adapt to different surfaces. She was known for her calm demeanor and ability to raise her level in big matches.

Goolagong broke significant barriers as one of the first prominent Aboriginal Australian athletes to achieve international success, inspiring generations of Indigenous players. Her achievements helped pave the way for greater diversity and recognition in Australian tennis.

• Australian Open 4 times
• Wimbledon 1971, 1980
• French Open 1971