Kgothatso Montjane. PIC : Instagram
South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane claimed her maiden Grand Slam title when she won the Wheelchair doubles finals in the French Open on Saturday.
Montjane and her partner Yui Kamiji (Japan) are the 2023 French Open wheelchair doubles champions.
The duo defeated Diede de Groot and Maria Florencia Moreno 6-3, 6-2 in the doubles finals.
“It is such a great feeling and moment for me. I am really happy that I managed to win my first Grand Slam, even though it’s doubles,” said Montjane.
“It’s a moment worth living for. I have been fortunate to play both singles and doubles, so it’s an exciting time for me, and I will keep fighting for the singles title that I have been waiting for.”
Montjane is the first South African woman to win a French Open title since 1981. It was Montjane’s first ever Grand Slam title after coming close on a number of occasions in the past.
Yui Kamiji and Kgothatso Montjane PIC: ITF
Born in Seshego, Limpopo with a congenital birth defect, she went through a single amputation below the knee at the age of 12.
Montjane’s tennis career took off at the age of 19 after the Airports Company South Africa provided facilities for her to play wheelchair tennis in her community.
From the Australian Open to the Japan Open, NEC Singles Masters, Doubles Masters, and the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Paralympics, Montjane has played in many tournaments around the world on the Wheelchair Tennis Tour. The Swiss Open is her favourite tournament.
Kgothatso completed a BSC Degree in Recreation and Leisure at the University of Venda 2010.
KG is aurgubly one of South Africa’s most successful athletes. She is currently ranked no.1 in South Africa & no. 4 in the World.