Kgothatso Montjane gets ready for tennis battle

South Africa’s top women’s wheelchair tennis player Kgothatso Montjane who lives in Westdene is participating at the French Open Grand Slam at Roland Garros from 4 until 6 June.

Montjane, who is ranked Number 7 in the world, is looking forward to her second French Open Grand Slam.

“I’m ready and I had good preparations, so I’m looking forward to the tournament,” says Montjane, who couldn’t contain her excitement.

“This trip means a lot to me because only the Top 8 men and women can partake in this tournament,” she said.

Montjane began her tennis career in earnest when Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) provided a wheelchair tennis programme in her community.

Today, Montjane devotes most of her life to tennis and is a formidable player on the international circuit with a career best ranking of Number 5 in the world in June 2013.

Montjane, who has won three doubles title this year, the most recent being the Airports Company South Africa SA Open with partner Marjolein Buis (NED), says she hopes to bring the title back home.

The Limpopo born tennis star, who completed her BSc degree in Recreation and Leisure at the University of Venda in 2010, admits that she gets nervous when she plays, but she loves a challenge. “I feel nervous sometimes but most importantly, I enjoy playing tennis.”

She hopes to do well, but win or loose, she knows she tried. According to her, tennis is a very challenging sport and it needs creativity in terms of skills and that is the reason she enjoys it.

Montjane has high expectations that require her to improve this year. Like any successful paralympic, she doesn’t let her disability get to her; she believes that no worthwhile journey its without its challenges.

Montjane is working hard to break into the Top 4 players in the world in 2014 and will be looking to win in Roland Garros.