Legendary Australian tennis player and coach Peter McNamara, a fixture in the stands on the WTA tour in recent years, passed away over the weekend after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.
McNamara, a former Top 10 player on the ATP tour in singles and doubles, won three Grand Slam doubles titles in his career in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and turned his eye towards coaching after retiring as a player.
On the WTA, McNamara most recently coached China's Wang Qiang, helping her break into the Top 20 of the WTA rankings last year after working together since 2015.
The pair parted ways earlier this year.
Read more: Wang Qiang and Peter McNamara part ways
"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 February's statement.
"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."
Wang later told WTA Insider at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells that the pair's collaboration ended because the Aussie was unable to travel full-time due to his health.
As news of his passing circulated around the tennis community on Sunday, WTA players past and present took to social media to share their thoughts on the one fondly called 'Macca.'
We will miss you Big Chief , no goodbyes only good memories #PeterMcnamara #rip 😔🙏🏻💔 https://t.co/87u1efrK7x
— Çağla Büyükakçay (@CaglaBuyukakcay) July 22, 2019
RIP Peter McNamara... I can’t believe it. He was one the nicest people on the tour. It was a privilege to know him. #RIPMacca 😔
— Anastasia Rodionova (@arodionova) July 22, 2019
Such sad news about Peter McNamara 😢 One of the most positive and kind person i’ve known!
Rest in peace 🙏🏼— Yulia Putintseva (@PutintsevaYulia) July 22, 2019
Omg I’m terribly saddened & shocked to hear of the passing of Peter McNamara 😢😢😢 He was such a great person. You will be dearly missed, Peter! #RIP
— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) July 21, 2019
Absolutely devastated to hear the news of Peter McNamara passing. Peter was an amazing player, friend, compatriot, gentleman, coach & on and on. I CANNOT believe in all the time i saw him on tour i never knew he was this sick. He made every player better he coached. RIP Pete😢
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) July 21, 2019
What a stoic man, he was always kind to me and a good friend of Tarik‘s. Very sad to hear of his passing.
— Vania King (@queen_v21) July 21, 2019
#RIP Peter McNamara,
still shocked 😰 What a great person... You will be missed...— Jule Goerges✌️🇩🇪 (@juliagoerges) July 21, 2019
Very very sad news... He was always so nice. Great guy😔 RIP https://t.co/rQ7uzqT12d
— Lara Arruabarrena (@laraarrua) July 21, 2019
So sad to wake up & hear the news of Peter McNamara’s passing 😢 he was always one of the coaches I could sit down with on tour & be able to have a great chat with. Mostly about life & our kids. I will never forgot him telling me to live my life & be happy with who I am #RIPMacca
— Casey Dellacqua OLY (@caseydellacqua) July 21, 2019
Peter McNamara 😔😪 Was such a great coach and amazing person ! #RIP
— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) July 21, 2019
Such sad news to hear of the passing of Peter McNamara. He was always so funny, friendly and best of all, kind. One of my favourite people I’ve met on tour and will be very much missed by many people. My thoughts are with Petra and the rest of his family.
— Naomi Broady (@NaomiBroady) July 21, 2019
So saddened to wake up to the news of Peter McNamara’s passing overnight. A great player, great coach that improved every player he worked with, and gun of a person. Big hugs to his family, friends and of course, his great mate @PaulFMcNamee #RIPMacca 😔 pic.twitter.com/CeFBai2jYI
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) July 21, 2019
McNamara is survived by his wife, Petra, and four children, Rochelle, Julian, Justin, and Daniel.
