Beyond the Baseline
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis, we look toward tennis leaders who are growing the game across the country. Our Beyond the Baseline series will introduce you to players, coaches and organizers whose lives have been impacted by wheelchair tennis—and how they plan to move tennis forward to positively affect the newest generations.
Lee Montgomery is a pioneer of wheelchair tennis who began his competitive career in 1980. He rose through the ranks to achieve a top-10 national ranking and earn multiple championship titles. Beyond on-court success, Lee has contributed to the development of early wheelchair tennis technology and remains a passionate advocate for greater accessibility and opportunities for future generations of players.
Lee Montgomery was introduced to wheelchair tennis by Luann Hagge at a wheelchair basketball game in Grand Rapids, Mich. She asked if anyone wanted to try tennis. Montgomery was interested, and would go on to become one of the first Black wheelchair tennis players.
He began competing in 1980 at an entry level and quickly found success. In the same division, he won singles and doubles titles at the US Open, then steadily progressed through the ranks. By 1984, he was competing in the open division. That year, he played alongside Brad Parks, the founder of wheelchair tennis, to finish as runners-up and third in singles.
During his career, Lee trained by playing daily, often competing against able-bodied players to improve timing, movement and endurance. He supplemented this with some weight training, but today’s players benefit from structured training programs, personal coaches and more advanced conditioning.
Montgomery competed through 1993, when a rotator cuff injury forced his retirement. He finished his career ranked No. 10 nationally and in the top 20 internationally. During his playing days, there was no prize money—he competed purely for the love of the game and the spirit of competition. Montgomery has seen prize money improve significantly, but notes the number of tournaments seems to have decreased, also pointing out that costs associated with competing have risen. Montgomery hopes to see more financial support for players, especially younger athletes, to help cover the costs of travel and competition. He believes growth for the sport will depend on its visibility, accessible and sustainability, which is why he advocates for televised matches and more equitable distribution of prize money across divisions to help offset expenses and encourage broader participation.
Lee Montgomery was personally involved in the early development of custom tennis wheelchairs through a sponsorship with a manufacturer, contributing feedback that helped shape design improvements. Wheelchairs are now lighter and more performance-driven, and racquets have become more technical and easier to handle. Playing surfaces have changed as well—clay courts are now more common at the elite level, something Montgomery did not encounter during his playing career. International competition has strengthened, and he's seen growth in youth participation.
If there's any advice he can give new players, it'd be to have fun with the game. Enjoyment is a key part of long-term success. For coaches, he recommends focusing on coaching the player, not the wheelchair. Emphasize fundamentals and simplicity. Help players develop and rely on their strongest shot to build confidence and create opportunities during matches.
Julie Fritz is a former collegiate tennis player and graduate of Western Michigan University, where she studied special education for the physically impaired. Since then, she has become a dedicated coach and advocate, helping grow the game while fostering inclusive opportunities for athletes of all abilities. Fritz has witnessed the sport’s evolution firsthand and continues to champion greater accessibility, integration and visibility for wheelchair tennis.
Julie Fritz was introduced to wheelchair tennis at a clinic and became hooked immediately. Soon after, she met an athlete involved in wheelchair basketball, which sparked her interest in recruiting and coaching wheelchair tennis players. That moment set her on a path that combined her passions for tennis and working with individuals with disabilities.
Over the years, she has seen wheelchair tennis become significantly more competitive, and equipment has evolved dramatically. Players today train at a much higher level, and there’s been a greater emphasis on physical conditioning, skill development and specialized equipment—all of which have elevated the level of play.
Unchanging though is the inclusivity of the sport. Players often partner with someone who is able-bodied, and Fritz regularly integrates wheelchair athletes into traditional tennis drills.
When asked what advice she would give players, she said, "Don’t be intimidated. Stick with it. Wheelchair tennis is not easy to learn. It requires coordinating chair movement, racquet control and shot execution all at once. Learning any new skill takes time and persistence."
For coaches, she recommends getting in a chair and experiencing the sport firsthand. Fritz emphasizes the importance of understanding the game from the player’s perspective, focusing on teaching players how to make contact to build confidence and encouraging them to simply try.
Fritz remembers when she was in school, how adapted sports weren’t widely recognized. Now, she's found a passion for teaching wheelchair tennis. She hopes the sport continues to grow and increase in visibility. She wants the tennis community to create more opportunities for players to simply get on court. Increasing accessibility at tennis facilities is critical.
More broadly, she hopes to see less separation between “wheelchair tennis” and “tennis” and more integration, with a focus on the sport as a whole and creating inclusive opportunities for everyone.
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