SAINT LEO, Fla. – Noel Kunz, a standout senior on the Saint Leo University men’s tennis team, faced what appeared to be a career ending diagnosis early in his collegiate journey. During his freshman year as a Saint Leo Lion, Kunz received news that could have shattered his athletic dreams. However, through unwavering determination, surgical intervention, powerful visualization techniques, and an unyielding belief in himself, he triumphantly returned to the court, defying expectations and overcoming what many considered a career-ending diagnosis lions.
Hailing from Meisterschwanden, Switzerland, Kunz embarked on his American adventure in the fall of 2018, joining the Saint Leo men’s tennis program as a promising freshman. Growing up in Switzerland, his athletic talents were evident across multiple sports. Eventually, he focused his passion and dedication on tennis. Inspired by peers and competitors who ventured to the United States to combine education with collegiate sports, Kunz sought a similar path. His search led him to Saint Leo University, where he found the ideal academic and athletic environment to call home.
As Kunz immersed himself in practices and matches for the Lions, a persistent pain began to emerge in his right wrist. Accustomed to the typical aches and strains of athletic training, he initially tried to push through it. However, this pain was different; it intensified with each passing day and showed no signs of subsiding. Despite employing various recovery methods, the discomfort remained. Finally, in March 2019, just a month into his debut season with Saint Leo, Kunz received a definitive diagnosis. He was diagnosed with Kienböck’s disease, a rare and debilitating condition characterized by progressive pain and dysfunction in the wrist.
Kienböck’s disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the lunate or osteonecrosis of the lunate, occurs when the lunate bone, one of the eight small carpal bones in the wrist, suffers damage due to a disrupted blood supply. The diagnosis came as a shock to Kunz. Despite the unsettling news, he persevered, completing his freshman season while managing the escalating pain.
Driven to understand his condition, Kunz delved into online research. The information he encountered painted a grim picture, suggesting that Kienböck’s disease could very well be a career-ending event. Seeking further opinions and potential solutions, Kunz shared his MRI scans and diagnosis with numerous doctors in Switzerland. The responses were disheartening; almost uniformly, the medical professionals indicated that a return to competitive tennis was highly improbable. Each consultation offered varying approaches, some drastically suggesting the removal of up to three wrist bones. This drastic measure would have significantly shortened his arm, making a return to tennis, the sport he loved, virtually impossible.
During the summer of 2019, back in Switzerland, Kunz explored every non-invasive therapy available in an attempt to restore blood flow to the affected bone. Unfortunately, the pain persisted, showing no improvement. A week before his scheduled return to Saint Leo for his sophomore year, another MRI revealed that the disease had not regressed. Kunz began to fear that his condition would lead to the termination of his scholarship and an immediate return home, deemed unable to contribute to the team.
However, Head Coach Chad Berryhill displayed unwavering support, exceeding Kunz’s expectations. Coach Berryhill helped Kunz break the news to his teammates during their initial team meeting of the year, conveying the somber possibility that his tennis career might be over. Following this difficult announcement, Kunz met with Coach Berryhill and Associate Athletic Director Mike Madagan to discuss the future of his scholarship. Recognizing Kunz’s dedication, work ethic, and passion displayed during his brief time on the court, Berryhill and Madagan honored Kunz’s scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year, despite his inability to compete.
Coach Berryhill, witnessing Kunz’s inherent athletic drive, proposed an alternative: trying out for the men’s cross country team. Kunz contacted Cross Country and Track Head Coach Kent Reiber, who welcomed the sophomore for a tryout. Successfully transitioning to a new sport, Kunz joined the cross country team, finding a renewed outlet for his competitive spirit. He relished the direct correlation between hard work and results in cross country, observing his race times improve with consistent training. He also forged new bonds with supportive teammates and friends within the cross country program.
While competing in cross country, Kunz gradually accepted the possibility that his tennis career was truly over. Yet, his deep-seated passion for tennis never faded. Eventually, in the fall of 2019, he decided that the potential reward of surgery outweighed the risks. He contacted a surgeon in Switzerland in November to explore surgical options during the upcoming winter break. Fortunately, a surgery slot became available. In December, upon returning home, Kunz consulted with the surgeon, who presented four to five possible surgical approaches. The surgeon’s primary recommendation involved removing three bones in the wrist, including the necrotic lunate bone. However, this option, with its wrist-shortening consequence, was unappealing to Kunz. He opted instead for a more complex procedure: a donor bone transplant to replace the damaged lunate.
This surgery carried significant risks, with no guarantee of restored blood flow even with the donor bone. The operation was scheduled for January 7th. Kunz remained hospitalized for two days post-surgery for monitoring. Remarkably, just four days after surgery, on January 11th, he boarded a plane back to Saint Leo for the spring semester. He was advised to refrain from physical activity, including cross country training, for two months to allow for proper healing. Armed with rehabilitation instructions from his surgeon, Kunz began his recovery journey.
During his two-month hiatus from physical exertion, Kunz’s thoughts increasingly returned to tennis, his first love. Fueled by a desire to defy the odds and return to the sport he was passionate about, Kunz began to apply his academic knowledge. As a psychology major aspiring to a career in sports psychology, he understood the power of visualization and self-belief. Kunz commenced daily visualization exercises, picturing himself back on the court, his wrist fully healed and stronger than ever, winning matches and executing powerful shots. Gradually, his visualizations transformed into a firm belief in his comeback. He sought out stories of athletes who had overcome seemingly career-ending injuries, solidifying his resolve to join their ranks.
After the two-month mark, his cast was removed. Despite his positive mindset and diligent visualization, his wrist exhibited minimal mobility. Undeterred, Kunz initiated a rigorous rehabilitation program, meticulously documenting his progress to track improvements over time. During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. His international teammates began returning to their home countries amidst concerns of border closures. Amidst the departures, Kunz faced the possibility of not being able to properly say goodbye to teammates he might not see again, especially with his scholarship nearing its end and uncertainly surrounding his return to campus.
Prior to the pandemic’s onset, Kunz and his parents had decided that he would spend the Fall 2020 semester taking online courses from home to continue wrist rehabilitation and mitigate the expenses of on-campus living, planning to return in Spring 2021 for graduation. Realizing his scholarship was concluding, he accelerated his coursework to graduate in three years instead of four. While at home, diligently rehabbing his wrist throughout the pandemic, his condition steadily improved. In August, he cautiously ventured back onto a tennis court, managing to play for about 20 minutes before fatigue and pain set in. However, with consistent practice, his playing time gradually increased. Finally, in November 2020, Kunz entered his first competitive tournament since spring 2019, participating fully.
Throughout his rehabilitation, Kunz kept Coach Berryhill and his teammates unaware of his progress, maintaining an element of surprise. Part of his visualization strategy involved drafting a text message to Coach Berryhill early in his recovery, declaring his wrist’s full recovery and his readiness to rejoin the nationally-ranked Saint Leo men’s tennis team. Kunz patiently waited for months, until November, when he felt his wrist was sufficiently strong, to finally send the message. Coach Berryhill was ecstatic to receive Kunz’s thrilling update and enthusiastically welcomed him back to the team. Together, they planned a surprise reveal for the team during a January Zoom meeting. In a powerful reversal from his freshman year meeting where he announced the potential end of his career, Kunz revealed his successful surgery and triumphant return to the team.
Kunz reports that his wrist continues to improve daily, and this challenging journey has amplified his appreciation for the game of tennis. Having once resigned himself to the end of his tennis aspirations, he willed his way back, now savoring every practice and match with renewed passion. Kunz celebrated Senior Day with his teammates on Wednesday, April 7th, a milestone deemed improbable just months prior.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men’s tennis program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Stay connected with the Lions through Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics prioritizes the health and safety of its student-athletes through comprehensive COVID-19 prevention measures. These include regular testing and screening, smaller travel groups, fan-less competitions, minimized overnight travel, and mask-wearing when not actively competing. These protocols align with NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference President’s Council guidelines. The Saint Leo University COVID-19 Incident Command Team regularly reviews and monitors team safety protocols and adherence.
