A powerful new television drama is set to captivate Australian audiences, delving into the remarkable life of one of the nation's most beloved sporting icons. The ABC's three-part mini-series, Goolagong, premiered on Sunday, January 4, 2026, offering an intimate portrait of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
From Barellan to Wimbledon: The Journey of a Champion
The series traces the inspiring trajectory of the Wiradjuri woman from her humble beginnings. It starts in the tiny NSW regional town of Barellan, where an eight-year-old Evonne first glimpsed the game of tennis through a cyclone wire fence. The story follows her meteoric rise, from her Wimbledon debut in 1970 to her historic victory there in 1980, when she became the first mother to win Wimbledon in the modern era.
Goolagong Cawley's career is a story of phenomenal success, securing seven Grand Slam singles titles—including four Australian Opens, two Wimbledon titles, and one French Open—alongside seven doubles titles. She achieved the world No. 1 ranking in 1976 before retiring in 1985.
A Stellar Cast and Creative Team Bring the Story to Life
Portraying the tennis champion is West Australian actress Lila McGuire, a Whadjuk and Wardandi Noongar woman and graduate of WAAPA. Eloise Hart plays the young Evonne, with Luke Carroll and Chenoa Deemal as her parents, Kenny and Linda.
The series does not shy away from the more difficult aspects of Goolagong Cawley's life. Marton Csokas takes on the role of coach Vic Edwards, who discovered the 12-year-old prodigy. The drama will explore the complex and, as Goolagong Cawley later alleged, abusive dynamic of their relationship, where she faced emotional and sexual harassment.
Felix Mallard plays her husband, British tennis player Roger Cawley, whom she married in 1975. The production is a significant one for Australian television, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Mystery Road) and co-written by Steven McGregor and Megan Simpson Huberman.
Where and How to Watch the Landmark Drama
Produced by Werner Film Productions, the series was filmed in key locations around Melbourne, including the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club. A detailed replica of Wimbledon's famed courts was even constructed on a vacant lot in Highett.
Goolagong airs on the ABC on Sundays at 8:20pm. All episodes are available to stream on demand via ABC iView, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in this profound story of sporting triumph, cultural significance, and personal resilience.
