A new three-episode ABC series titled "Goolagong" has been released, chronicling the life and career of former world No. 1 tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley. The series, which was in development for nine years, explores her journey from her childhood as the sole Indigenous family in Barellan, New South Wales, to her professional career, including her seven Grand Slam singles titles and experiences on the international circuit. Actor Lila McGuire portrays Goolagong Cawley in the titular role.
Series Overview and Broadcast
The series, "Goolagong," is available for streaming on ABC iview, with episodes also broadcast on ABC TV. It focuses on the life of Australian tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who achieved seven Grand Slam singles titles and held the world No. 1 ranking during her career.
Goolagong Cawley commented on the experience of her life story being adapted for the screen, describing it as both "weird" and an "honour." She expressed hope that her story, which began with her using improvised equipment for tennis, would inspire younger audiences. Her personal motto is stated as "dream, believe, learn, achieve."
Narrative and Production Details
The series employs a flashback structure, transitioning between past and present events in Goolagong Cawley's life. It begins with her at Wimbledon before shifting to her childhood in the late 1950s, depicting her family's arrival at their new home in Barellan, New South Wales, where they were the community's sole Indigenous family. Dialogue from this period includes her mother, Linda (portrayed by Chenoa Deemal), remarking on their house having a proper floor, and her father, Kenny (Luke Carroll), expressing optimism.
The series was directed by Wayne Blair and written by Steven McGregor and Megan Simpson Huberman. It highlights Goolagong Cawley's early background, which differed from the affluent environments often associated with tennis, featuring scenes of a young Evonne hitting a tennis ball against a brick pillar with a paddle.
Political events are incorporated into the narrative, including Goolagong Cawley's participation in tournaments in apartheid-era South Africa, where she received "honorary white" status. The tennis sequences in the series utilize scaled-back color schemes and camerawork that emphasizes the players' positions, particularly Goolagong Cawley, rather than the trajectory of the ball. The on-court action is presented with an emphasis on her psychological state, using tennis as a framework to explore her life experiences.
Cast and Character Portrayals
- Lila McGuire, a Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar actor, plays Evonne Goolagong Cawley. McGuire undertook extensive preparation for the role, including regular tennis coaching, sessions with a high-performance sports personal trainer, and consultations with a dietician and physiotherapist. She also utilized her background in Noongar dancing to develop the physicality for the portrayal. McGuire's portrayal presents Goolagong Cawley as soft-hearted and agreeable, alongside demonstrating tenacity.
- Marton Csokas portrays coach Vic Edwards, who identifies Goolagong Cawley's talent and proposes coaching to her parents.
- Chenoa Deemal plays Linda, Evonne's mother.
- Luke Carroll plays Kenny, Evonne's father.
Themes and Impact
McGuire stated that her aspiration to act originated in childhood, influenced by films such as "Moulin Rouge," "Bran Nue Dae," and "The Sapphires," and highlighted the importance of Indigenous representation in media as a motivational factor in her career choice. She characterized Goolagong Cawley as an individual who navigated the complexities of being the sole Indigenous woman on the international tennis circuit during her career.
McGuire also stated that the series offers a platform for "stories that navigate the beauty of our culture, of the hope we still have, our strength," and emphasized themes of community support and self-reliance within the narrative.