Evonne Goolagong’s Legacy on Screen: Lila McGuire’s ‘Daunting’ Portrayal Unveils Tennis Icon’s Inspiring Journey

The life of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, an icon whose name resonates with triumph and resilience, is now immortalized on screen in the highly anticipated ABC iview series, ‘Goolagong’. Bringing such a towering figure to life is no small feat, and actor Lila McGuire, tasked with the lead role, openly describes the prospect as “daunting.” Yet, her journey into embodying the seven-time Grand Slam champion offers a compelling narrative in itself, highlighting the immense dedication and emotional depth required to portray a person who transcended sport to become a cultural touchstone.

McGuire’s preparation for the role was nothing short of rigorous, a testament to her commitment to authenticity. “It was physically demanding, but I’ve never been so fit in my life,” she revealed to ABC News, detailing a regimen that included three tennis coaching sessions a week, numerous high-performance sport training sessions with a personal trainer, and consultations with a dietician and physiotherapist. This intensive physical transformation was crucial, considering McGuire, a self-confessed “netball girly,” had never held a tennis racket before taking on the part of a two-time Wimbledon champion. Her dedication to mastering Goolagong’s on-court prowess underscores the profound respect she holds for the legend’s athletic achievements.

Embodying a Legend: From Noongar Dance to Tennis Court

Beyond the physical demands, McGuire found an unexpected, yet profoundly effective, avenue for preparation in her own cultural heritage. As a Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar actor, her background in Noongar dancing proved to be the most invaluable tool for “stepping into Evonne’s physicality.” She explained that Noongar dancing “is very much about inhabiting the energy of whatever animal you’re dancing for [and] paying close attention to the way they’re moving.” This unique form of embodied storytelling allowed her to meticulously translate her own movements into those of Goolagong Cawley, capturing not just the athletic grace, but also the nuanced presence of a woman who navigated the global stage as the only Indigenous female player of her era. It offered a deeply personal and culturally resonant pathway to understanding Goolagong’s unique journey and spirit.

The emotional weight of the role was palpable for McGuire. When she first learned she would be playing Goolagong Cawley, she was “awash with emotion” and “promptly burst into tears,” feeling as though “all [her] dreams” were coming true. Yet, this elation was quickly followed by the immense pressure of portraying such a revered figure. Her approach was grounded in humanity: “For me, it was about remembering that she is human, just like the rest of us. And to not put her on a pedestal,” McGuire told SSBcrack News. While acknowledging Goolagong’s undeniable iconic status, McGuire understood that true connection lay in recognizing their shared humanity, seeing Goolagong as “a young Black woman in her time,” much like herself.

A Path Forged by Representation: McGuire’s Own Journey to Acting

McGuire’s personal narrative mirrors aspects of Goolagong’s, particularly their shared experience of growing up in regional Australia. With limited access to drama classes, dance schools, or local theatre, McGuire’s early inspiration came from watching movies and cartoons, dreaming of a career in performance from a tender age. She vividly recalls a moment at three years old, watching ‘Moulin Rouge’ and declaring, “That’s what I want to do. I want to sing and I want to dance, and I want that to be my job. I want to act and I want to perform.”

Crucially, her desire to act was further fueled by seeing Black Australian talent on screen. Films like ‘Bran Nue Dae’ and ‘The Sapphires’ (the latter also directed by Wayne Blair, who helms ‘Goolagong’) provided vital representation. “Seeing Jess Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell and the OG – Deborah Mailman, who we love – on screen and being their excellent Black selves was so important for me growing up,” McGuire emphasized. These films, showcasing both “Black joy” and the “challenges that we have to navigate in our daily lives,” cemented her ambition. Despite initial self-doubt that led her to take odd jobs after high school, McGuire eventually embraced her calling, realizing, “I was always going to be an actor, and I just had to accept that for myself.” Her journey underscores the profound impact of seeing oneself reflected in media, inspiring her to become that very representation for “all the mob kids that need it.”

Goolagong Cawley’s Reflection and the Series’ Unique Vision

For Evonne Goolagong Cawley herself, seeing her life story brought to the screen has been a “weird” yet “wonderful honour.” After nine years in the making, she expressed satisfaction with the team assembled to tell her story. It’s a surreal experience for someone who, throughout her illustrious tennis career, “never really watched myself.” The series, she notes, “will be the first time I’ll have seen myself. My double, anyway.” Her greatest hope for ‘Goolagong’ is that it inspires younger audiences to pursue their own aspirations, a message deeply rooted in her own humble beginnings. She famously started with “an apple crate board” as a makeshift racket, hitting balls “against house walls, water tanks — any wall I could see.” Her lifelong motto, “dream, believe, learn, achieve,” serves as a powerful testament to her journey and the enduring message she wishes to impart.

Critics, including The Guardian, have lauded ‘Goolagong’ for its refreshing departure from typical sports biopics. Director Wayne Blair, along with writers Steven McGregor and Megan Simpson Huberman, crafted a narrative that prioritizes “restraint over go-for-broke rhetoric,” maintaining a “dignified approach.” The series unfolds over three well-paced episodes, adopting a “contemplative tone” with “light-filled compositions and a flashback structure that fluidly oscillates between past and present.” This artistic choice allows for a deeper exploration of Goolagong’s life, from her childhood in Barellan, New South Wales, as the community’s only Indigenous family, to her Wimbledon triumphs. The tennis scenes are “elegantly staged,” focusing on the players’ positions rather than just the ball’s trajectory, further emphasizing the human element over mere athletic spectacle. Lila McGuire’s performance, in particular, has been praised for patiently and vividly “eking out Goolagong’s multitudes,” presenting her as soft-hearted yet possessing the “tenacity and doggedness needed to achieve tennis greatness.”

A Story of Culture, Hope, and Community

Both McGuire and Goolagong Cawley share a profound excitement for the series to reach audiences, especially the “young mob.” McGuire sees Goolagong’s story as one she would have cherished growing up, a narrative that “navigate[s] the beauty of our culture, of the hope we still have, our strength, [and] the more beautiful and magical parts of our culture.” She describes Goolagong Cawley as an extraordinary individual who navigated the complexities of being an Indigenous woman on the international tennis circuit, a path fraught with unique challenges.

The overarching message McGuire hopes viewers take away is the power of community and self-reliance. “What I want them to take away from this story is that you don’t have to do it alone … Lean on your people,” she urged. “You can rely on your Elders, you can find peace on country, you can be vulnerable and honest with yourself and still stay true to yourself.” This emphasis on leaning into cultural roots and community support, while remaining true to one’s personal journey, elevates ‘Goolagong’ beyond a mere sporting drama. It becomes a vital testament to Indigenous strength, cultural pride, and the universal pursuit of dreams.

The ‘Goolagong’ series, premiering on ABC TV and available for streaming on ABC iview, stands as a significant cultural contribution. It’s not merely a recounting of athletic achievements, but a richly woven tapestry of identity, resilience, and the enduring power of representation. Through Lila McGuire’s deeply committed portrayal and the thoughtful directorial vision, the series offers a nuanced look at Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s life, inviting audiences to not only celebrate a sporting icon but to draw inspiration from a journey that champions self-belief and the strength found in one’s heritage.