Who is Evonne Goolagong Cawley?
Evonne Goolagong Cawley is a First Nations Australian tennis champion who won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including Wimbledon in 1971 and 1980. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman.
Goolagong was born in Griffith, New South Wales, in 1951 and grew up in the country town of Barellan. She was discovered by tennis coach Vic Edwards, who helped her move to Sydney to train.
She won the French Open and Wimbledon in 1971 at the age of 19. She was known for her graceful, natural style of play.
A famous second Wimbledon
In 1980, she won Wimbledon again, becoming the first mother to win the title in the Open era. She also won four Australian Open titles, from 1974 to 1977.
Goolagong Cawley became world number one in 1976. She has been an inspiration to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has worked to support young Indigenous people through tennis programs.
She was named Australian of the Year in 1971. The Evonne Goolagong Foundation supports education and health for Indigenous children through sport.
Did You Know?
Goolagong Cawley's autobiography is called Home! The Evonne Goolagong Story.