Kgothatso Montjane counting down to Roland Garros

Montjane wrapped up her preparations for the French Open in style last month, pairing up with long-time teammate Japanese Yui Kamiji to win the doubles title at the Japan Open.

The duo won on straight sets – 6-0, 6-1 over Saki Takamuro of Japan and former singles and doubles world number-one Aniek van Koot from The Netherlands in the final, bagging their second successive Japan Open title.

Montjane says her stint playing on clay served as good preparation for the Roland Garros, which will take place between 26 May and 9 June 2024.

"Just a few days before the Roland Garros, but so far so good and I already had my first tournament on clay," said the 37-year-old.

The two-time Grand Slam doubles champion further shared with SABC Sport that there hasn't been much opportunity for rest in her schedule, as she continues to compete in the build-up to the 2024 Paralympics, set for 28 August to 8 September.

“I will be honest, there is no balance at the moment. I just keep competing, trying to make sure that I am in the right position in terms of rankings, come the 2024 Paralympics,’’ she noted.

Montjane recently scooped the Minister’s Excellence Award at the South African Sports Awards, an honour she welcomed with open arms.

"I am really honoured to have received a great recognition from the Minister [Zizi Kodwa]. I am very humbled, it means so much to me," she concluded.

READ: Emma Raducanu withdraws from French Open qualifying