Known for her graceful technique, Evonne Goolagong is one of our greatest-ever homegrown tennis players, and on this day in 1974, the Wiradjuri woman won her first Australian Open.

She would go on to win the next three slams in Melbourne after making the final in the three before 1974. But it was 1974 when she etched her name in history.

Goolagong defeated American Chris Evert in a hard-fought three sets (7-6, 4-6, 6-0), sailing to victory in the third set after a shower and a change in tactics.

That's right, a shower. After losing the second set, both players left the court for an extended 10-minute break, in which Goolagong freshened up.

Due to the immense heat on the day, all games had extended breaks to help players recover, and Goolagong used it to her advantage.

She changed her approach to the match after the second set and began throwing the ball higher on her serves in an attempt to pin Evert to the baseline.

Her coach, Vic Edwards, also told her to get into the net and attack Evert.

"Evonne, just believe in God, believe in yourself, and believe in me," he said courtside at the time.

After the 10‐minute break, Evert started the third set poorly as she dropped her first service game to love.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley won the Australian Open four times between 1974 and 1977 (Getty Images: Toronto Star/Fred Ross)

Following instructions, Goolagong continued to charge to the net and hammered her volleys away for winners.

Evert had no response and looked shocked throughout, only managing to win nine points in the final set.

"I felt confident even before I went out on court, and I was on a roll," Goolagong said after the match, speaking about the longer break.

"It was just what I needed … I won the third set quite easily."

The Kooyong crowd, some 13,000 people, gave Goolagong a five-minute standing ovation, and streamers leftover from New Year's Eve celebrations were thrown onto the court.

Looking back at her first Australian Open win 50 years on, Goolagong said the crowd "spurred me on".

Evonne Goolagong was known for her graceful style of play. (Supplied: MTC / Getty: Popperfoto)

"When I was finally able to win it, it meant the world to me. Particularly in front of your own crowd, it was amazing," she said.

"It meant so much to me. I felt so comfortable after winning that first one that I went on to win the next three in a row."