Kgothatso Montjane, the First Black South African Woman to Win a Wimbledon Title
Kgothatso Montjane, the first black South African woman to win a Wimbledon title, reflects on her triumph in the Wimbledon Doubles Wheelchair final with Japanese partner Yui Kamiji, defeating the Dutch duo Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen.
Image Credits: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Kgothatso Montjane, who is a wheelchair tennis player that finally captured the elusive Wimbledon Doubles Wheelchair title after last year’s disappointment. She takes us through what it felt like winning another grand slam title.
That Wimbledon Feeling
"Honestly, at that particular moment when I won [Wimbledon title] I was like finally we did it! Last year we missed out, so for us it was like can you believe it we did it. The emotions that evening went down as I was due to travel back,” Montjane told SportsBoom.com.
Montjane and her doubles partner Japanese born Yui Kamiji defeated the Dutch duo Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen. The previous year they lost to the same Dutch duo.
"Out of the four of us [Wimbledon Doubles Wheelchair Finalists] I didn't realise I was the only one who hasn't won it yet. I was just grateful for that moment. My country and my name will be in the books of history.”
"All the players, Diede, Jiske and Yui, they had won Wimbledon Grandslams before. Look at Yui, she won her 8th Wimbledon title and Jiske and Diede won it two or three times already and it was a first for me."
Montjane who already won two other Grandslams [Us Open and French Open] the previous year, was asked where she'd rank her Wimbledon title with her other Grandslam titles?
"Wimbledon is there up at the top for me, it is the most watched Grandslam and ofcourse one of the most prestigious tournaments. I'd put my Wimbledon title right at the top, as it is one of a kind."
Image Credits: Paralympic.org
Montjane also thanked her sponsors and supporters for assisting her in her journey.
"You know the Government don't support athletes rather the federations so for me I'm dependant on my sponsors who have helped me throughout. The Minister issued a statement to congratulate me. When I landed back home, I didn't expect much rather than my family and sponsors, including members of the media. My sponsors include Nike, Dunlop, Discovery, Avon, Mahindra...those are my sponsors."
Paralympics Preparation
Montjane will be competing at her fourth Paralympics. She has yet to secure a medal for herself.
I will be preparing for the Paralympics in a month’s time. Next week is back to reality, channeling the focus for France. I will be leaving earlier to Montpellier to prepare and then to the Olympic Village.
Kgothatso Montjane
Montjane also thanked her sponsors and supporters for assisting her in her journey.
"You know the Government don't support athletes rather the federations so for me I'm dependant on my sponsors who have helped me throughout. The Minister issued a statement to congratulate me. When I landed back home, I didn't expect much rather than my family and sponsors, including members of the media. My sponsors include Nike, Dunlop, Discovery, Avon, Mahindra...those are my sponsors."
Nathan has over a decade of knowledge and experience, both as a former professional sportsperson and journalist. Nathan, a former radio sports presenter and producer is an award-winning community radio sports producer/presenter.