Goolagong Cawley gets recognition 31 years later

They say it’s better late than never and the WTA Tour apparently agreed.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley was awarded the No. 1 spot in women’s tennis rankings 31 years after she was actually there. Due to lost paperwork in 1976, Goolagong Cawley (No. 2 at the time) was not recognized for her two-week span at No. 1 in April after beating No. 1 Chris Evert in the 1976 Virginia Slims Championships.

Evert regained the No. 1 ranking the next month but Goolagong Cawley was never officially recognized for her achievement until this week.

Goolagong Cawley won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four Australian Open championships. She joins 15 other women with the distinction of holding the No. 1 ranking on the women’s tour.