Champion Kgothatso Montjane guns for more glory

French Open Doubles: check. US Open Doubles: check. Wimbledon Doubles: check. Now, just three enormous goals remain for the straight-talking Kgothatso Montjane.

One of those comes next month in Paris at the Paralympics. “I want to finish on the podium. 

“Then, I want to do a [career] Grand Slam in doubles and, even though age is not on my side, I still want to win a singles Grand Slam title, it doesn’t matter which one,” said Montjane.

Winning Wimbledon, alongside Japanese doubles partner Yui Kamiji, was much bigger than Montjane — a previous wheelchair tennis champion at Roland Garros and the US Open — could imagine. 

“For me (Wimbledon) with its traditions, it’s unique. When you say ‘Wimbledon champion’, on its own, it resonates differently. It’s like, yes, there are Grand Slams, but this is a different Grand Slam. It’s the Grand Slam of Grand Slams. That’s the feeling I am getting right now. It carries a different weight; it is quite special.”

Adding to the splendour was the presence in Montjane’s coaching box last Sunday of Billie Jean King, a legend in the sport and because of her fight for gender equality. “I was shocked, when we finished the toss, I said to my partner: ‘Look who’s in the (coach’s) box?’ She had tickets for the Royal Box to watch the men’s final, but she came to wheelchair tennis.”

It didn’t end there. “She was there coaching, saying: ‘Next one, next point, lets keep going…’,” said Montjane.

Because this year’s US Open coincides with the Paralympics, there won’t be a wheelchair competition in New York, but King, with whom Montjane has built a close friendship, has invited her to New York to watch the US Open. “I don’t know if I’ll go.

Seeing people’s happiness through social media, how people are so proud to call themselves South African because of this victory is quite amazing

—  Kgothatso Montjane

“I know Billie is a huge icon in tennis, but I feel so fortunate that I can sit with her, listen to all the good stories, the wisdom, learn a lot. I’m so fortunate that I am so close to her. It was good that she came out publicly to watch, because that is good for our sport, not just for me, but also for wheelchair tennis.”

Unfortunately, Montjane couldn’t attend the glamorous post-tournament “Champions Ball” at Wimbledon last Sunday night, which upset Kamiji. “She was like, ‘come man, it will be great,’ but I had already arranged to come back [to South Africa] on Sunday night. So I gave my two tickets for the party to two friends of mine and I told Yui to send me pics, which she did.” 

The decision to return home was a financial one — she didn’t want to pay for an extra night in London, illustrating one of the major challenges facing Montjane individually, but also wheelchair tennis more broadly. “At the moment, we only make money at Grand Slams,” she said.

“At our own tournaments you are working at a loss, even if you win the tournament. You spend more to enter the tournament — on travel and accommodation — than if you win it. At Grand Slams, they cover all the costs, so you get that bit of prize money.” 

Montjane admitted she didn’t attend meetings where wheelchair tennis was discussed. “That is my fault.” But she also understands the impact her success has had in South Africa, and how it could help increase the sport’s popularity. 

“Seeing people’s happiness through social media, how people are so proud to call themselves South African because of this victory, is quite amazing. When I started this sport, it was fun, I was just figuring it out. But to see how it touches people’s lives, it leaves me in awe.

“Whenever I win, I get to find out that people follow tennis. I didn’t think that was the case, but it’s great to see how many people are happy. That’s all that I can ask for, just to touch people’s lives. I want to see tennis grow, man.”

Which is why it’s so important for Montjane to share this triumph with the country. She has been on a media blitz in the days following her triumph on the lawns of the All England Club. She was scheduled to meet the new sports minister at the Mandela Day Walk at the Wanderers yesterday and has sponsors’ engagements lined up too.

“When you have success like this, you must share yourself with the people. It is important not to be selfish,” said Montjane.

This week, however, that will change. “It is back to reality, the Paralympics are coming up. After playing on clay at Roland Garros, you make the switch to grass, now you go back to clay... I’d love to soak in this success, but there really is so much to do and to achieve.”