Beyond the Baseline

Sue Katerberg was introduced to wheelchair tennis in 1995 and has since made a tremendous impact as both a coach and an advocate.

She worked at a tennis club where she observed a group of wheelchair tennis players practicing and quickly recognized opportunities to adjust technique—particularly grip and hand positioning—to generate topspin and more power. She notes that executing a topspin backhand can depend on a player’s positioning in the chair, adding a unique technical dimension to the sport. After sharing her thoughts, players saw immediate improvement, sparking Katerberg's deeper involvement in the sport.

As the game has advanced technically, training has followed suit, with players experiencing growth not just in skills and physical abilities but also in mental confidence.

Katerberg has coached at the collegiate level and has consistently integrated wheelchair athletes into her broader tennis programming. She enjoys integrating able-bodied players, particularly younger athletes, into practices to become more engaged in the sport's inclusive nature and make connections through tennis.

She also appreciates the travel opportunities tennis can give players, but points out that travel can be more challenging for wheelchair athletes. 

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 at an entry level in 1980 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.

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.