I was focused on becoming the first Aboriginal tennis champion. Then one remark changed something in me
As a teenager in Sydney, the would-be Wimbledon champion was working towards a singular goal when an act of racism shattered her naivety
TL;DR
- Evonne Goolagong, then 17, was focused on becoming the first Aboriginal tennis champion while living in Sydney.
- During a doubles match in 1969, an opponent used the N-word towards Goolagong after being defeated.
- The racist slur deeply affected Goolagong, shattering her naivety and prompting her to seek support from friends at the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs.
- Her friends helped her find pride in her Aboriginal identity.
- Goolagong went on to win her first Wimbledon singles title in 1971, dedicating it to all Aboriginal people and hoping to inspire future generations.