Peter McNamara's story has a touch of pathos to it, but there may yet be a happy ending. The personable Australian made a comeback on the circuit at the 1984 Australian Open, after a 21-month absence with a debilitating knee injury. Although he lost in the first round at Kooyong to Tim Gullikson, the mere fact that Peter was on a tennis court again offered hope. McNamara, through hard work and tireless dedication, made himself one of the tour's finest players in 1982, reaching the quarters of the French, as well as five other tournament finals.

With these performances added to his resume, 1983 seemed filled with promise and things began well. Peter won perhaps the biggest title of his career at the Brussels Indoor that March, beating Lendl in a thrilling final that had the Belgian fans chanting his name. That win elevated him to No. 7 in the ATP rankings, the highest of his career. The following week in his very next match, McNamara tore ligaments in his knee that almost marked the end of a blossoming career. Peter had hoped to rehabilitate the knee without surgery within a matter of weeks, but the recovery proved more difficult and arduous than anticipated. Reaching his previous high level of play represents the next challenge to him. Peter won the 1981 ATP Most Improved Player Award.