1977 Australian Open (December) – Women's singles

Evonne Goolagong defeated Helen Gourlay in the final, 6–3, 6–0 to win the women's singles tennis title at the December 1977 Australian Open.^[1] It was her fourth Australian Open singles title and sixth major singles title overall. For the third time in her career, Goolagong did not lose a set during the tournament. As of 2025, this was the last women's singles final to be contested by two Australians.^{[citation needed]}

Women's singles
1977 Australian Open (December)
Champion	Evonne Goolagong
Runner-up	Helen Gourlay
Score	6–3, 6–0
Draw	32 (4 Q )
Seeds	8

Main article: 1977 Australian Open (December)

Kerry Reid was the defending champion, but was defeated in the semifinals by Goolagong.^[1]

Both finalists were entered in the championships as Mrs. R. Cawley, as they were married to Roger Cawley and Richard Cawley (who were not related) respectively (at the time, married female players were required to be identified using their husband's name). The umpire became confused during the early stages of the final and simply referred to the players as Evonne or Helen to avoid confusion.^[2]

The second of the two Australian Opens held in 1977 started on 19 December and ended on 31 December. For the first Australian Open held in 1977, see: 1977 Australian Open (January).

Seeds

The seeded players are listed below. Evonne Goolagong is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.

1. Evonne Goolagong (champion)
2. Sue Barker (semifinal)
3. Kerry Reid (semifinal)
4. Mona Guerrant (Quarterfinal)
5. Helen Gourlay (final)
6. Helena Anliot (first round)
7. Kathleen Harter (Quarterfinal)
8. Rayni Fox (Quarterfinal)

Qualifying

Main article: 1977 Australian Open (December) – Women's singles qualifying

Draw

Key

• Q = Qualifier
• WC = Wild card
• LL = Lucky loser
• Alt = Alternate
• ITF = ITF entry
• PR = Protected ranking
• SR = Special ranking
• SE = Special exempt
• JE = Junior exempt
• JR = Junior Accelerator Programme entrant
• CO = College Accelerator Programme entrant
• NG = Next Gen Accelerator Program entrant
• w/o = Walkover
• r = Retired
• d = Defaulted

Finals

	Semifinals							Final
	1	Evonne Goolagong	6	6
	3	Kerry Reid	1	3
								1	Evonne Goolagong	6	6
								5	Helen Gourlay	3	0
	5	Helen Gourlay	7	6
	2	Sue Barker	5	4

Top half

	First round							Second round							Quarterfinals							Semifinals
	1	E Goolagong	6	6
		D Evers	1	3				1	E Goolagong	6	6
		M Sawyer	3	4					N Sato	4	0
		N Sato	6	6											1	E Goolagong	6	6
		K Hallam	5	6	7										Q	J Dalton	3	1
		P Elliott	7	4	5				K Hallam	0	3
	Q	J Dalton	7	6				Q	J Dalton	6	6
	6	H Anliot	6	2																		1	E Goolagong	6	6
	3	K Reid	6	6																		3	K Reid	1	3
	Q	K Pratt	4	2				3	K Reid	6	6
	LL	K Gulley	6	0	3				L Harrison	0	0
		L Harrison	4	6	6										3	K Reid	6	7
		C Draper	2	2											7	K Harter	1	5
		J Wilton	6	6					J Wilton	2	3
		S Saliba	1	5				7	K Harter	6	6
	7	K Harter	6	7

Bottom half

	First round							Second round							Quarterfinals							Semifinals
	5	H Gourlay	6	6
		W Paish	1	3				5	H Gourlay	6	6
		E Little	6	6					E Little	0	1
		K Ruddell	2	3											5	H Gourlay	3	6	6
		M Pekovitch	4	3											4	M Guerrant	6	1	4
		A Tobin	6	6					A Tobin	6	2
	Q	S Leo	2	1				4	M Guerrant	7	6
	4	M Guerrant	6	6																		5	H Gourlay	7	6
	8	R Fox	6	6																		2	S Barker	5	4
		C Matison	2	1				8	R Fox	7	6	7
		P Bostrom	6	4	9				P Bostrom	5	7	5
		P Whytcross	3	6	7										8	R Fox	3	0
	Q	S Pinchbeck	5	1											2	S Barker	6	6
		N Gregory	7	6					N Gregory	5	3
		C Drury	3	2				2	S Barker	7	6
	2	S Barker	6	6

See also

• 1977 Australian Open (December)