The Great Ohio Bear: A Tribute to Barry MacKay

Barry McKay: playing great, pioneering promoter, genuine friend.

When former U.S. No. 1, tennis broadcaster and tournament director Barry Mackay passed away in mid May, it wasn’t followed by the silence you hear when a pro player tosses a ball up to serve. People from all walks of tennis life came forward to pay tribute to the great Ohio Bear.

Barry MacKay was the last of the good hearted, independent tournament owners and promoters. He was revered by tennis insiders who knew him as a genuine human being who didn’t play games or, despite his status, try to big time anyone. He was known by many as a genuine friend—and many of those friends in tennis started out as complete strangers.

MacKay was unique: a tournament director with a personality that people loved. He was not some glad hander who would only extend his arm to people who might do something for him. He was a legitimately nice guy who gave all of himself to the elite athlete or the common man. He treated people how he would like to be treated himself.

“He was especially kind and considerate and helpful to me before my career even got started, dating…