Helen Gourlay

Helen Gourlay Cawley (née Gourlay; born 23 December 1946) is a retired tennis player from Australia.

Personal Helen Gourlay was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She married Richard Leon Cawley in January 1977, and married William Timothy Cape in October 1986.

Career Gourlay reached the singles final of two Grand Slam tournaments, losing the 1971 French Open and the December 1977 Australian Open to countrywoman Evonne Goolagong.

An operation on her elbow sidelined her for 10 months in 1973.

In women's doubles, Gourlay was a four-time winner of the Australian Open (1972, 1976, 1977 (January), 1977 (December)). She won Wimbledon in 1977 partnering JoAnne Russell and was the runner-up there in 1974 with Karen Krantzcke. Gourlay was twice the runner-up at the French Open in 1971 with Kerry Harris and 1977 with Rayni Fox. In 1977, Gourlay played in four of the five Grand Slam Women's Doubles finals (the Australian Open was contested twice), only failing to reach the US Open final, where she lost in the second round with JoAnne Russell.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (2 runner-ups)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScoreLoss 1971 French Open Clay Evonne Goolagong 3–6, 5–7Loss 1977(Dec) Australian Open Grass Evonne Goolagong 3–6, 0–6

Doubles (5 titles, 3 runner-ups)

Note: Evonne Goolagong occasionally is credited incorrectly with winning the 1977 Ladies Doubles event at Wimbledon, due to the confusion regarding the married names of both Goolagong and her compatriot Gourlay who took the trophy. Both women were listed in tournaments as Mrs. R. Cawley (Goolagong was Mrs. R.A. Cawley and Gourlay was Mrs. R.L. Cawley). Goolagong did not participate at Wimbledon 1977.

Grand Slam singles tournament timeline

Note: The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

Coaching Gourlay was coached by Brian Hudson for over 10 years. She lived with Hudson, his wife Beryl and their children for three years while he coached her for free at his Granville (Sydney) tennis courts (1963-1965). Gourlay and Hudson played mixed doubles at White City (1968) and Wimbledon (1972). Gourlay also was coached by Hudson at his Terranora court, leading into many international events, including Grand Slams. Hudson coached Gourlay in the 1977 Australian Open, in which Gourlay defeated Sue Barker in the semifinals.

Gourlay was one of the inaugural coaches of the Australian Institute of Sport tennis program when it was established in Canberra in 1981.