The three-part BBC miniseries 'Goolagong' has been hailed as an 'exceptional' and 'heartbreaking' drama that transports viewers to the front row of Centre Court. The series, which chronicles the life of Aboriginal Australian tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, is currently streaming for free on BBC iPlayer, making it ideal viewing during the Wimbledon Championships.
Evonne Goolagong's Remarkable Journey
Evonne Goolagong Cawley won the Wimbledon singles title twice (1971, 1980) and the doubles once (1974), along with 14 Grand Slam titles overall. The series follows her from childhood in New South Wales, where she first glimpsed tennis through a fence at age eight, through her rise to international stardom and a career-threatening injury. The official synopsis notes: 'In 1958, an eight-year-old girl peered through the wire fence of the tennis courts near her small-town home in New South Wales. She was instantly hooked.'
The story also explores the 'disturbing dynamic' behind the scenes that threatened to derail her career, until she found the strength to reclaim her identity. It highlights how she challenged tennis orthodoxy and united a nation as one of Australia's most celebrated sporting figures.
Cast and Critical Acclaim
Lila McGuire stars as Evonne, supported by Luke Carroll, Chenoa Deemal, Marton Csokas, Belinda Woolcock, Felix Mallard, Rhys Muldoon, Courtney Clarke, and Elizabeth Cullen. Nick Lee, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: 'The classic recipe for a sports drama is passion and talent to triumph over adversity, Goolagong does all this with heart.'
Viewers have praised the series on IMDb and social media. One reviewer wrote: 'Another Aussie gem. Superbly acted to the point that towards the end I thought they had switched to archival footage and I was actually watching Yvonne on the court.' Another commented: 'The perfect Wimbledon warm up... By the 3rd episode I was rooting for Gong, the tension built before the Wimbledon final worked well in this series.'
Emotional Impact and Authenticity
A third viewer described it as 'Understated and graceful... Lila Maguire is every bit Evonne Goolagong as Evie herself. Whilst Martin Csokas turn as Vic Edwards, Evie's coach, is hauntingly brilliant.' Another added: 'I'm glad this miniseries exists. It was heartbreaking most of the time and only recovering with momentary heartwarming fragments.'
The series was filmed at Kooyong but, according to one fan, 'the viewer is left feeling as though they are front row at Wimbledon in the 1970s.' The BBC acquired the series in May, and it is now available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.
