'Don't quit before the miracle': Navy veteran Daniel Witwer's story of perseverance

When Daniel Witwer first rolled onto a tennis court in 2023, he didn’t know how much the game would transform his life.

A Navy veteran and career arborist, Witwer was no stranger to discipline, strength and structure. But what he found in wheelchair tennis was something unexpected: freedom, belonging and a renewed competitive spirit.

“After a year of playing other wheelchair sports, I got introduced to tennis,” Witwer said. “I practiced hard and went to my first tournament two months later, and I haven’t looked back.”

For Witwer, who is from Tulsa, tennis isn’t just a sport: It’s a space where his disabilities fade into the background and his determination takes center stage.

“I don’t have my disabilities when I’m strapped into my chair on the court,” he said. “Same rules for everyone, and the chair actually evens the playing field.”

He trains with consistency and discipline, but admits he has a soft spot for what he labels a “kill shot.” With a single grip for both his forehand and backhand, his style is as efficient as it is fierce.

“I can’t get enough,” he said of tennis. “The more I play the more I enjoy it, and the benefits it brings to my body and mind.”

From Navy to the Net

Witwer’s military journey began in April 1979 when he enlisted in the Navy. His service took him aboard the USS Cayuga (LST-1186), with deployments to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. His time in the military—marked by teamwork, resilience and a deep sense of duty—left a lasting impact.

“The structure of military life has helped me in training and in everyday life,” he said.

After his service Witwer spent over 40 years as an arborist, a job he pursued out of a deep childhood love for trees.

“It tied in closely with my naval training: ropes, rigging and safety,” he said.

Like many athletes, Witwer’s tennis journey wasn’t smooth at the start.

“At my first tournament I lost every game, set and match,” he said.