Tennis star Kgothatso Montjane urges corporate sectors to invest more in the sport

Montjane, alongside her Japanese partner Yui Kamaji, claimed the coveted title of women’s wheelchair doubles champions at the US Open.

Just three months ago, Montjane and her partner triumphed at the French Open.

Today, she was welcomed home as a hero, greeted with cheers and her trophy at the OR Tambo International Airport. Despite this historic achievement, her greatest aspiration remains seeing the greater support and resources channelled into the sport.

"Ya, no we are not in a good state and if moments like this don't bring any support, I don't know but tennis is not doing well in the country. I, for one as an athlete, I'm not sure what the problem is but we'll keep looking for what the problem is. All I know is we need support, financial support," Montjane said.

"I feel like the federation needs financial support to run the programs. Obviously, programs looking at wheelchair tennis as one, we need that funding because at the moment we have nothing."

In July, Montjane and Kamaji experienced disappointment in the Wimbledon doubles final but swiftly redeemed themselves by claiming their second Gram Slam title.

Their victory, albeit via a walkover, was a source of joy, as their intended opponents in the doubles final had to withdraw due to illness. 

They were originally slated to face the top-seeded Dutch pair Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen, who unfortunately had to bow out of the match.

"Ya, I mean, great victory, great result, great achievement. Losing Wimbledon was a motivation for us to really come back like this. I remember when we left Wimbledon. I was like to Yui, 'Go home and rest. I'm going to do the same. Let's be healthy and fresh for the US'.

So, those were our departing words. So, we wanted it badly and it was our plan to actually win it, even though we won it in a way that, it's not how it's planned but that is beyond our control. It was really important for us to really just get to the finals."