What is Evonne Goolagong Cawley's net worth?
Evonne Goolagong Cawley, a retired professional tennis player from Australia, boasts a net worth of $1 million. Known for her remarkable performance in the 1970s and early 80s, she secured numerous singles and doubles titles, including 14 Grand Slam tournament titles, and three Fed Cup competitions. Post-retirement, Goolagong served as a touring professional, participated in senior invitational competitions, and held various sports leadership roles.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1951 in Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, Evonne Goolagong belonged to an Aboriginal Wiradjuri family. Her father, Ken, was a nomadic sheep shearer and her mother, Melinda, was a homemaker. Third among eight children, Goolagong was raised in Barellan, where she honed her tennis skills. She later moved to Sydney under the sponsorship of tennis school proprietor Vic Edwards to attend Willoughby Girls High School. Edwards became her legal guardian, manager, and coach.
Career in the 1970s
Evonne Goolagong's professional career took off spectacularly. At 19, she clinched the French Open singles, Australian Open doubles, and Wimbledon singles championships in 1971. Her Grand Slam triumphs continued over the next five years. In 1972, she reached the finals of every Grand Slam except the US Open. By 1973, she was either a finalist or semifinalist in all four Grand Slam events. From 1974 to 1976, Goolagong was consistently a finalist at the US Open and reached the quarterfinals or better at Wimbledon. From 1974 to 1977, she dominated the Australian Open.
1976 was a stellar year for Goolagong, who claimed seven titles, including the WTA Championships, and ascended to No. 1 in the world. During that year's US Open, she discovered her pregnancy, momentarily stepping away from the tour. In 1977, she returned triumphantly, securing ten tournament victories. Notably, in 1978, she triumphed over Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to win the Virginia Slims of Boston. A severe ankle injury during Wimbledon 1978 cut short her season, but she returned strong in 1979, winning four tournaments and ranking No. 4 globally. Goolagong capped the decade with a record 17 Grand Slam singles finals.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Final Playing Years
Despite injuries and illness in early 1980, Goolagong returned to win Wimbledon, making her the only player to defeat four top-ten players in a single tournament and the second mother ever to win the title. Subsequent years saw irregular performances; she missed most of 1981 and faced significant losses in 1982. In 1983, she didn't reach the quarterfinal of any event, and her final Grand Slam singles match at the French Open saw her losing to Chris Evert. Her last Grand Slam appearance was a doubles match at Wimbledon.
Goolagong's legacy includes seven championships, placing her 12th in women's all-time singles Grand Slam winners. Overall, she secured 86 singles titles.
Post-Playing Career
After her competitive career, Goolagong capitalized on endorsement deals, appearing in commercials for KFC, Sears, and Geritol. In the 1990s, she participated in senior invitational competitions and returned to Wimbledon for the inaugural ladies' senior invitational doubles. She served on the Australian Sports Commission board from 1995 to 1997 and has been a Sports Ambassador to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities since 1997. Goolagong also runs a development camp for indigenous children, using tennis to promote education.
Personal Life
Evonne Goolagong married Roger Cawley, a former junior British tennis player, in 1975. Following their marriage, Roger took over as her manager and coach from Vic Edwards, who had been abusive. Her father tragically died in a car accident in 1974 shortly after Edwards refused to provide money for a new family vehicle.
The couple settled in Naples, Florida, and have two children, Kelly and Morgan. Morgan later played in the National Soccer League. Goolagong is also the great aunt of National Rugby League player Latrell Mitchell. Inspired by a reunion with indigenous Australian relatives in the early 90s, the family purchased a home in Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia.
Honors
Goolagong's accolades are numerous. She was named Australian of the Year in 1971 and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1972. In 1982, she became an Officer of the Order of Australia, and in 1985, was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. She also joined the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988.
In 2016, Goolagong received an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia for her community services. In 2018, she was awarded the International Tennis Federation's Philippe Chatrier Award, the organization's highest honor.
