Former Australian tennis star Peter McNamara, who went on to coach players on both the ATP and WTA Tours, has died following a fight with illness
McNamara managed to crack the world’s top 10 in both singles and doubles during his career in the 1970s and 1980s. Winning a total of 24 ATP titles with 19 of those occurring in the doubles. His greatest successes occurred alongside compatriot Paul McNamee. Together the duo won three grand slam titles. Their first was at the 1979 Australian Open before going on to win Wimbledon twice in 1980 and 1982. They were nicknamed The SuperMacs. At his highest, McNamara was world No.3 in the doubles.
In the singles, the Australian defeated 10 top 10 players and achieved an overall win-loss record of 205-135. In 1983 he beat Ivan Lendl in the final of the Brussels Open. The win guided McNamara to a ranking high of seventh. That milestone took place after he was forced to miss 21 months of the tour due to a serious knee injury. In the majors, his stand out performance was a run to the semi-finals at the 1980 Australian Open. In total he reached the quarter-finals or better at four grand slams between 1980-1982. In 1981 he was voted most improved player on the ATP Tour.
The Melbourne-born player was also a regular feature in the Australian Davis Cup team throughout the 1980s. Winning 10 out of 21 matches played in the competition. His victories included triumphs over Mats Wilander and Yannick Noah.
News of McNamara’s death was confirmed by David Law, who is the media director for the Fever-Tree Championships. He passed away on Saturday evening surrounded by his family in Germany. He had been suffering from Prostate cancer.
Very sad news received today.
Peter McNamara, former Top 10 singles tennis player and multiple Grand Slam doubles champions, has died at the age of 64.
As a player he was best known for his doubles partnership with compatriot Paul McNamee.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) July 21, 2019
After retiring from the tour, he remained involved in the sport as a coach. Players he worked with included Grigor Dimitrov, Mark Philippoussis, Matthew Ebden and Wang Qiang. He helped guide Qiang into the world’s top 20 during a four-year partnership before ending their collaboration just five months ago in February.
“I would like to show gratitude towards Qiang Wang, and her entire team around her, for these exciting and joyful four years together that created an amazing journey,” McNamara said in a statement, according to WTA Insider. “Qiang has taught me patience and understanding, at the same time as I have lived a dream that she made possible. I would like to thank her for all and wish her all the best in the future.”
McNamara has died at the age of 64.
