Lucy Heald Earns Two U.S. Open Podium Finishes, Represents Team USA

Chattanooga Christian School sophomore Lucy Heald continued an outstanding international season with two podium finishes in the Junior Girls’ Wheelchair competition at the 2026 U.S. Open followed by an opportunity to represent the United States in senior international competition.

At the U.S. OPen, Heald advanced to the singles semifinals after defeating Colombia’s Paula Michelle Lopez Meza in a hard-fought quarterfinal. After dropping the opening set, she rallied to earn a 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 victory and secure her place in the final four.

“My mental game was really on point in that match, especially because I had a lot of support from my coaches on the side of the court,” Heald said. “I went into the match telling myself that I was ready to fight until it was over. Once I got into that mindset, I focused on it and nothing else.”

Heald then faced second-seeded Luna Gryp of Belgium in the semifinals, concluding an impressive singles run at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

She also partnered with Sweden’s Emma Gjerseth in the junior girls’ wheelchair doubles tournament. The second-seeded pair advanced to the championship match with a 6-4, 6-1 semifinal victory before finishing as U.S. Open runners-up.

She also competed in the junior girls’ wheelchair doubles tournament, advancing to the championship match and finishing as the U.S. Open runner-up.

Heald said she was especially proud of the progress the results represented.

“I’m most proud that I came back to the U.S. Open and did better than I did last year,” she said. “Little steps at a time.”

Just days later, Heald traveled to Orlando, Fla., to represent the United States at the 2026 BNP Paribas World Team Cup, the wheelchair tennis equivalent of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup. Heald joined Maylee Phelps and Sabina Czauz on the U.S. women’s team, competing alongside many of the world’s top senior wheelchair tennis players.C

The United States opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Switzerland and advanced to the quarterfinals. Heald’s selection for the senior women’s team represented another significant step in her career and gave her the opportunity to learn from experienced teammates while competing at one of the sport's premier international events.

“It was a huge honor and an amazing privilege to be asked,” Heald said. “It was so much fun to be part of the junior USA team earlier this year, but being part of the women’s USA team was something I hadn’t even thought about yet. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience.”

Currently ranked among the world’s leading junior wheelchair tennis players, Heald has built an impressive international record. Earlier this year, she won both the singles and doubles titles at an international junior wheelchair tournament in Italy and represented the United States at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Junior Competition in Belgium. She also reached the singles semifinals and doubles final at the French Open in June.

Those experiences have helped Heald both on and off the court.

“I have grown in many ways as a player, especially on the mental side,” she said. “I feel like that’s a lot of the game—who can keep their head up the longest.”

While international competition has taken Heald around the world, it has also deepened her appreciation for home.

“Being able to travel around the world has been a huge privilege and has given me so many amazing opportunities,” she said. “But traveling so much also makes me appreciate home and my community more. I am so thankful that I get to come back to a community like CCS. It’s truly a blessing.”

From Grand Slam competition in New York to representing her country in Orlando, Heald continues to demonstrate the perseverance, discipline, and character required to compete at the highest levels of her sport. Her accomplishments reflect the school’s mission to lead and serve with distinction in all spheres of life.

The CCS community congratulates Lucy on her outstanding performances and celebrates all she continues to accomplish on the international stage.

View the official U.S. Open draw and results.