SA Paralympian tennis player Kgothatso Montjane secured the prestigious Grand Slam champion title and made history as the first SA woman to win a French Open title since 1981 at the French Open on Saturday 10 June.
Between 2019 and 2023, Montjane made it through six doubles finals at the Grand Slam tournaments. This year culminated in a long-awaited and well-deserved win, with the Paralympian finally being crowned a Grand Slam champion.
Montjane was crowned alongside partner Yui Kamiji from Japan as they defeated Diede de Groot and Maria Florencia Moreno 6-3, 6-2 in the doubles finals.
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“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.”
“It was 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.”
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In another big win for SA, Paralympian Donald Ramphadi along with his British doubles partner Andy Lapthorne reeled in a major victory defeating seeded-pair Heath Davidson from Australia and Robert Shaw from Canada with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-3, securing the quads doubles title.
Ramphadi also added to the history books with this win, becoming the first male South African (both able-bodied and wheelchair) to win a French Open title since Johan Kriek accomplished the feat in 1981.
We’re amazed at all of the incredible achievements SA athletes are reeling in, Viva SA!
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Feature Image: Getty
