Kgothatso Montjane Expresses Gratitude for Support Following Mother’s Passing

Three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Kgothatso Montjane returned to action at the Wheelchair Tennis Masters last week. In the wake of securing her first Wimbledon trophy, wheelchair tennis player Kgothatso Montjane disclosed that she was suddenly confronted with an “immense void” in her life. The 38-year-old athlete indicated that the demise of her mother, Margaret, due to kidney complications at the end of July, profoundly affected her mental health. Montjane conveyed to Newsday on the BBC World Service, “To lose a mother in that time of your life – whereby you just won Wimbledon, you’re trying to celebrate – all those things come crashing [down].” To prioritize her well-being, Montjane opted to withdraw from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a decision she characterized as “one of the most difficult” she has ever had to make. Before the South African player resumed elite competition at the Wheelchair Tennis Masters last week, legendary athlete Billie Jean King, who holds 39 Grand Slam titles, was among the individuals who extended messages of support to Montjane via social media. Montjane articulated, “If it wasn’t for the support that I got, I just couldn’t imagine myself coming back.” She added, “From my management team, everyone has been there for me. I’m just happy to be playing tennis again.” Montjane secured her first Wimbledon title in July, achieving success in the women’s wheelchair doubles alongside her partner, Yui Kamiji of Japan. With her return to the court, Montjane is now concentrating on continuing her performance from where she concluded in south-west London. Her comeback at the Masters event in the Netherlands, an exclusive tournament for the year’s top-ranked players, was triumphant. She defeated Aniek van Koot in three sets in the singles category, followed by a doubles victory with her Wimbledon partner, Yui Kamiji. Nevertheless, Montjane was unable to advance past her group in the singles competition, and she and Kamiji were eliminated from the doubles in the semi-finals. Montjane commented, “This year hasn’t been easy for me, but because I love the game I always try my best to make sure that I stay at the top.” She further stated, “The Masters are a benchmark of your year-end results. It’s important for the top players to take it up among themselves to show greatness.” Montjane, who was born in Polokwane, has consistently maintained a position among the top ten wheelchair tennis players for the last decade, currently holding the seventh rank in singles and fourth in doubles. Her victory in women’s doubles at Wimbledon with Kamiji came after their Grand Slam triumphs at the French Open and US Open the previous year. The duo were also beaten finalists at the Australian Open in January, which remains the sole Grand Slam title Montjane has yet to win. She considers her deep passion for tennis to be a primary contributor to her achievements. “It’s just a matter of keeping yourself motivated,” she remarked. “Tennis is not an easy sport but you really need to stay interested and have that edge to always want to do better. Love for the game is going to help you stay consistent.” Montjane was born with amniotic band syndrome, a condition characterized by improper limb development, and underwent the amputation of her left leg below the knee when she was 12 years old. After beginning wheelchair tennis at 19, she has emerged as a prominent figure in disability sports within South Africa. Her impact reaches beyond the tennis court; earlier this month in Johannesburg, she received the accolades of both sports personality and role model of the year at the Feather Awards, an event that identifies itself as Africa’s largest queer awards ceremony. Nearing the conclusion of her professional career, Montjane aims to establish a lasting legacy in a nation where most of the black majority lack the financial resources necessary to engage in competitive tennis. As the inaugural black South African woman to qualify for Wimbledon, the left-handed player holds optimism that her involvement in Grand Slam tournaments will motivate others throughout the continent to take up tennis. Montjane articulated, “Someone needs to be doing it so that others develop an interest in it.” She continued, “Among all the achievements that I have, I’m remaining hopeful that we will see other upcoming youngsters who take up the sport and try [to] take over.” She concluded, “I don’t think I have a lot of years left in me. I’m hoping that it can spark that interest and inspire others.”