South Africa’s tennis star, Kgothatso Montjane, is brimming with pride following her incredible feat of winning the Wimbledon women’s doubles with her partner, Japan’s Yui Kamiji.
A third Grand Slam title together for Yui Kamiji and Kgothatso Montjane 🇯🇵 🇿🇦
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
The No.1 seeds defeat Diede De Groot and Jiske Griffioen 6-4, 6-4 to secure the Ladies' Wheelchair Doubles title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WSwm3mcLh4
The pair defeated the Dutch duo Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in the final at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Sunday. This is Montjane’s third Grand Slam title, having previously won the Roland Garros and US Open doubles titles. However, she is yet to win a singles title.
This victory will undoubtedly spur her on as she prepares for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris, taking place from 28 August 2024 to 8 September 2024.
“Going to the Paralympics with this win is such a great motivation. I think it is exactly what I needed before the Games. It is such a great morale booster. Looking at my performance in the last two weeks on grass, I am really happy with it. I feel like this is what I needed, and I can carry this feeling and motivation into the Paralympics. This victory ensures that the legacy of wheelchair tennis endures,” says Montjane.
The Dutch duo handed Montjane and Kamiji a defeat in last year’s Wimbledon finals. De Groot has been dominating the women’s wheelchair singles event for a while and has won a total of 15 consecutive Grand Slam titles. The 38-year-old Montjane says it was satisfying to finally deny De Groot another title.
“It is satisfying to beat De Groot and her partner in the finals because they have dominated quite a lot. She used to win both Grand Slam events, like she did at the Roland Garros. If it takes one of us to stop her from clinching all the Grand Slam titles, then it’s worth it. I am glad Yui and I were able to ensure that she doesn’t take two home,” she says.
Montjane returned home on Monday to a hero's welcome. She was welcomed by Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mr. Jerry Maseko Funani Nqamane, her family and friends, members of the media, Tennis South Africa, representatives from the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and the Limpopo Sports Confederation.