South Africa's wheelchair tennis players hope to make sports history starting tomorrow when they start to chase balls on the Paralympic courts in Paris.
The South Africans have been winning Grand Slam titles, but until now, South African players have yet to contest a final at the Games. Lucas Sithole came close to doing so during the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. He contested the semifinal singles. Kgothatso Montjane contested the women's doubles final during the 2021 Tokyo Games.
But if Donald Ramphadi can have his way, there will be a South African on the podium in Paris.
"My goal is to win a medal. I got two chances to do so– the quad singles or the quad doubles. I don't care about the colour of the medal; all that matters is to win."
Despite being the first time the Tuks-based player will compete at the Paralympics, he has reason to be confident. So far this season he has contested the semifinals in the doubles and singles at the Australian and French Open Tournaments. In 2023, he won the doubles at the French Open.
"Getting my first opportunity to play at the Paralympics is exciting. I won't lie. I am nervous. But nerves are good. It is proof that I am focused. There will not be such an easy game at the Paralympics. But then again, one of my best traits as a player is my mental toughness. I don't give up and rate how I make decisions during a game. My backhand is undoubtedly a weapon, as I can play it with a lot of spin."
Ramphadi was not always a fan of tennis. Football was his game when he grew up. Most mornings after breakfast, he would kick a ball around. What got his adrenaline pumping was when he got an opportunity to test his skills against rivals.
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But everything changed at the age of 12. Ramphadi still remembers being on his way to school to write exams when he felt a pain in his legs. From then on, things started to deteriorate quite quickly. It got to a stage where he could not walk or feed himself. He was diagnosed with a severe bone disease.
The Tuks-based Montjane is the other player with a realistic chance of reaching a final. So far this season, she has won the doubles at Wimbledon and lost in the final at the Australia and French Open Tournaments.
She and the former Tuks player, Mariska Venter, will team up in the doubles in Paris.
When asked about her Paralympic preparation, Montjane said, "It used to be all about "the grind". Hours on the court. Hours in the gym. But now, at 38, I have realised it isn't about quantity but quality. I am not pushing myself harder than what the body and mind can handle. I don't want to burn out."
Alwande Sikhosana is the other Tuks-based player who will be in action at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Tuks's Shaun Anderson will compete in the archery in Paris. It is the third time that he is competing at the Games.
"The Paris Games are going to be different. In the past, I would speculate about what I might do at the Games. Before the Tokyo Paralympic Games, I told everyone I was competing in honour of my dad, who passed away due to contracting the Covid-19 virus. In Paris, I will be competing to make Shaun Anderson proud. If I succeed, there will be ample time to talk and celebrate."