Beyond the Baseline

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 that the number of tournaments has decreased and that the costs of 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 the sport's growth will depend on its visibility, accessibility and sustainability, which is why he advocates televised matches and a 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 rather than the wheelchair. Emphasize fundamentals and simplicity. Help players develop and rely on their strongest shot to build confidence and create opportunities during matches.

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.