Evonne Goolagong’s Federation Cup trophy

This miniature Federation Cup trophy was presented to Evonne Goolagong following the Australian tennis team’s success in 1971.

The Federation Cup is the womens’ equivalent of the Davis Cup, with national teams competing against each other in an annual tournament. The Davis Cup was first held in 1900 but it took considerably longer for a women’s national tennis tournament to be established. The Federation Cup was first held in 1963 and coincided with the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation.

In 1971, following a successful year in international competition, Evonne Goolagong was selected to represent Australia. The final was played in Perth, Western Australia that year and Margaret Court and Lesley Hunt completed the team. Court was ranked among the best tennis players in the world in the 1960s and 70s and had represented Australia in the Federation Cup since its establishment in 1963.

Goolagong and Court won their singles matches against Great Britain’s Virginia Wade and Ann Jones respectively. Court and Hunt then won their doubles match to secure the cup for Australia.