Allen & Unwin acquires Evonne Goolagong Cawley memoir
Allen & Unwin (A&U) has acquired world rights to Only Ever Evonne by Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
In the memoir, Goolagong Cawley shares memories of her childhood in Barellan, where she grew up with her parents and 7 siblings. “She gives thoughtful reflections about her experiences as an Aboriginal woman in a white-dominated sport, her struggles with a domineering coach, and her epic love story with husband Roger,” said A&U. “And she shares her hopes for the future of the country and First Nations peoples.”
One of Australia’s greatest sporting figures, Goolagong Cawley won the French Open singles and the Australian Open doubles championships at the age of 19. In 1971, she became the second woman in the Open Era to complete the Channel Slam, winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Her second Wimbledon title, in 1980, made her the first mother in 66 years to win the tournament. She also represented Australia in three Federation Cup competitions, winning the title in 1971, 1973 and 1974, and was captain of the team for 3 consecutive years.
Recognition for her achievements extended beyond the court. Named Australian of the Year in 1971, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1982. She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988, and the Aboriginal Sporting Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2018 she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Today, Goolagong Cawley leads the Goolagong National Development Camp for Indigenous boys and girls, which encourages Indigenous youth to stay in school.
Of the memoir, she said: “This is the full story of my life: the tennis and everything. I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Fame is a curious thing, but without it, who would listen to me now!”
Publisher Sally Heath said: “Evonne has been such a luminary in Australian sporting and public life for so many years. I have loved working with her, revisiting her discovery of tennis, appreciating her enormous sporting achievements and appreciating her continuing engagement with tennis and Australian life.”
A&U plans to publish Only Ever Evonne in October.
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Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions
