Evonne Goolagong

Goolagong turned professional in 1971, wasting no time after gaining her pro status. She beat Helen Gourlay in that year's French Open. Then, just one year after that first round upset at her first Wimbledon, she returned to center court and defeated fellow Australian Margaret Smith Court in the finals, the first of her two Wimbledon victories.

In her home country Goolagong became a dominant force in the Australian Open, winning the Grand Slam event four consecutive times between 1974 and 1977. She also took home the Australian Open doubles title four times during that decade (1971, 1974-76). Goolagong also became an important part of Australia's Federation Cup team, helping her fellow Australians to victories in 1971, 1973 and 1974 (they also reached the finals in 1975 and 1976).

Though she flirted with a second Wimbledon title several times throughout the decade, Goolagong just could not seem to win the final match. She made the Wimbledon finals three times in the 1970s, but it proved elusive, because she lost to Billie Jean King in 1972 and 1975, and then to Chris Evert in 1976.