Evonne Goolagong Cawley has shared details of a racist incident she experienced in 1969, two years before her historic Wimbledon singles victory. At 17, while living in Sydney and training with her coach Vic Edwards, she was playing a doubles match when an opponent directed a racial slur at her.
Goolagong Cawley, who had been focused on becoming the first Aboriginal tennis champion, described feeling shock and a profound change within her after the incident. She sought support from friends at the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, where she spent increasing amounts of time.
Following the event, Mr. Edwards informed the NSW Lawn Tennis Association and began writing an official complaint. Goolagong Cawley stated she never saw the woman involved again. In 1971, she went on to win her first Wimbledon singles title, a victory she felt was for all Aboriginal people.