Thursday, December 27, 2007

Tour corrects Goolagong oopsie, sets tennis history straight

It always struck me as a bit odd that the great Evonne Goolagong (who later became Goolagong Cawley) was never number one in the world. Well, it turns out that she was, if only for a brief period. The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour found some lost paperwork, and discovered that for two weeks in 1976, Goolagong was 8/10 of a point ahead of then-number one Chris Evert.

So, since the beginning of computer rankings in 1975, Goolagong is now one of sixteen women to have attained the status of being number one in the world. The tour has presented her with a Waterford crystal trophy, which the Australian player called "the best Christmas present."

And once again, I give you this charming 1981 tribute to Goolagong, the player who first drew me into a lifetime of enthusiasm for women's tennis.

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