Former tennis great honoured in Adelaide

Former world number one and Wimbledon champion Evonne Goolagong has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia to recognise her contribution to Australian tennis.

Goolagong was ranked world number one from 1971-76, won the Australian Open four times, Wimbledon twice, the US Open four times and the French Open once.

UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd says Goolagong is the perfect Australian role model.

"Her life has been one marked by determination, commitment, excellence and generosity," Prof Lloyd said.

"From her position of success, she has used her immense talent and high profile to promote the sport of tennis, and through tennis, to support education, health and well-being initiatives for Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."