
Evonne Goolang Cawley is a seven-time grand slam singles winner.

But she had to defy adversity during her career to become world No.1.

Her career was marked by episodes where -- as with so many Aborigines -- she was often treated as a second-class citizen.

She first read about Wimbledon in a girl's magazine and dreamed of winning the tournament, achieving the feat at her second attempt in 1971.

The Australian relished the grass surface in London, twice being crowned champion there, the second in 1980 after she had become a mother.

She also shone on home soil winning four straight Australian Opens in the open era as well as adding seven grand slam doubles titles to her career CV.

Goolagong Cawley (second from left) was part of a golden era of the women's game. Her own love of the sport starting with hitting a ball against a wall.

She remains an iconic figure at the Australian Open each year where a bronze statue of her was unveiled in 1994.

For a time in retirement, she captained Australia's Fed Cup team and is now involved in tennis helping indigenous people in the sport through her development program, which she runs with her husband, the former British tennis player Roger Cawley.

Goolagong Cawley, pictured in front of Uluru, is proud of her Aboriginal heritage.

She has become a regular feature in the stands at the Australian Open since moving back to her native Australia following a lengthy stint in the U.S.

She was part of a tennis selfie with fellow Australians Rod Laver, Margaret Court, her one-time idol, and Ken Rosewall at this year's event.

