Wheelchair Tennis in Lincoln

Wheelchair tennis started in the United States over 40 years ago and is continuing to grow inside Nebraska. Much of the progress is thanks to the help of Kevin Heim from Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln. Not only is he the coach of the United States National Team, but he is heavily involved with promoting wheelchair tennis at Woods. 

“The biggest challenge for coaching wheelchair tennis is finding someone who is passionate enough and willing to grow as a coach. Each player is unique with their own ability so everyone’s game should look different,” said Heim.

Many of his students come from the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital as they are returning to a healthy lifestyle after an injury and want to feel the emotions of competition again. 

One of these students Heim works with is Taylor Graham, also from Lincoln. For the past six years, he has received private lessons from Heim and participates in a group clinic once a week.

“Sometimes you just have to win ugly. I may not always play as pretty or constant as my opponents, but compared to where I started six years ago there is a night and day difference,” Graham said. 

His goal this year is to return to the USTA US Open Wheelchair Championship where he has played in the past and continue to build his world ranking to earn spots in other Grand Slams around the world.

Others, like Rory Heaton, may not work with Heim, but still find plenty of opportunities to play as they try to achieve their goals.

Heaton resides in Bellevue, Nebraska and has been playing since 2013. He gets together with a group of three others to practice twice a week, but tennis is more than just a game for him.

“Tennis is a way for me to stay active and the game helped get me through a time of depression in the past,” Heaton said.

Heaton is ready to take on the next level of competition as his goal this summer is to play in enough tournaments to qualify for the US Open for the first time.

If you're looking to compete or just watch some great tennis, the next wheelchair tournament in Nebraska will be in Lincoln at Woods Tennis Center, August 23-25.