RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Beautiful to watch.

SO,SO,SO...

seven titles are not enough to be one of the greatests - especially cause she took advantage of a retiring billie jean king and the rising of a real all times great: chris evert. and the australian open at that time were not visited by many international players. that she was injured some years. ok - other players were too. that she was pregnant and a mother - fine. but this is a subject that does not interest here very much. its more something for the yellow press.

One of the true greatest women players of all time with a grace to match. Goolagong-Cawley was special at a time when Court and King had become boring. Evert was a year or so away when Gong captures Wimbledon and the French in succession in 71. Seven straight Australian open finals apperances with 4 wins in an era when they all played it including a breathtaking wins against Evert in 74 and Navratilova in 75. The Virginia Slims of 74 and 76 (both against Evert on her home turf) and not to mention that glorious comeback against Evert in the 1972 Wimbledon Semi Final where they played each other for the very first time ever. I'm an Australian but its not just us who think so highly of this wonderful woman. Evonne never made excuses like Chrissie always did after losing Wimbledon finals but the fact is that in 75 Evonne was also 'in love' and lost and in 76 as she says in her book 'she didnt think she played well all day' but still took Evert to 8-6 in the third. Played unbelievably at WImbledon in 78 on one foot before breaking down literally but still not giving in against Navratilova losing only 6-4 in the third in the Semi Finals and then beating Mandlikova, Stove, Turnbull, Austin and then Evert to win Wimbledon in the grittiest comeback in the history of the game. Seven grand Slam titles is enough in anyone's mind to place her very near the top. Defeated the two so called greatest in Court and King to win Wimbledon and then Austin and Evert nearly 10 years later, AND a Mother! At least three years missed on the tour due to pregnancy or injuries so must also take that into account. To watch her volley was poetry in motion and 92 professional tournament victories means there was also ambition and talent to burn. When Evonne was 'on' Evert didnt stand a chance. A graceful person who unlike Evert didnt play Miss Cutesy to the crowds and someone who had a greater story to boot....The whole world LOVES Evonne Goolagong

Her performance against Evert in the 1980 Wimbledon final says all. She hit the beautiful slice forehands and backhands and won the match from the ground in a similar style that Wade did in 77. Very complete player in the mold of Mandlikova. Excellent serve and perfect mechanics on the volley

Very graceful, fluid game. I would rate her much higher had it not been for one Chris Evert against whom I thought she surrendered rather meekly. She had the game to put up a much better show and be a little more innovative in putting pressure on Evert. She failed to do so and let Evert easily rule over her and the rest of the women.

Beautiful game, beautiful player. Instinctive, gliding, fluid playing style - like Maria Bueno, extraordinarily athletic yet still very feminine serve vollyer. Classic rivalry with Evert made it hard to root for either player, for each exuded grace and class. To watch her serve in slow motion was to not forget it - ever.

Evonne was grace personified with a fluid, elegant game that made tennis look easy. Had it not been for Chris Evert - who overwhelmed her - Evonne would probably have a better record to show.

her grace and carefree spirit on the court makes her such a joy to watch. she may not have achieved the stature of martina and chris but she definitely is one of the best ever.