A hero's welcome awaited South African wheelchair tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane as she beamingly made her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, on Monday morning.
Excitement, loud cheers, the flashing lights of cameras and hearty clapping was the order of the winter morning as the sportswoman emerged into the terminal, after her splendid showing at Wimbledon over the weekend.
Montjane and her Japanese partner Yui Kamiji bagged their third Grand Slam title together on Sunday.
The number one seeds defeated Dutch duo, Diede De Groot and Jiske Griffioen 6-4, 6-4, to secure the Wimbledon Ladies' Wheelchair Doubles title in London, United Kingdom.
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She told journalists that her victory has not sunk in yet, especially after the duo was named silver finalists last year.
“I’m still digesting it - but I’m sure it will sink in. This is just a great feeling,” she told journalists as she beamed from ear to ear.
According to the newly crowned champion, the matches are gruelling and require professionalism to play at this level.
“We try to fight as a team. We wanted to win this one considering our performance last year. After that match last year, we felt we needed to give it our best. We felt we lacked strategy. So, you can imagine how badly we wanted it.
“That’s why we needed to put our differences aside and put our heads together and fight together as a team.”
Montjane had her left leg amputated at age 12 due to a congenital disorder.
She described yesterday’s win as a confidence booster as she prepares for the Paralympic Games in August in Paris.
“I feel like I really needed this. I’ve been having ups and downs throughout the year and my ranking going through ups and downs, and not being sure where I am.
“This one really gives me a great feeling that I can go to the Games to deliver,” she said.
Montjane, who first picked up the racket at the age of 19, thanked her team for motivating her.
“I’m having so many blows and they’re the ones who try to keep me motivated so that I keep my head down and continue to work hard. I keep saying I’m winning the wrong Slam but it’s still a great achievement. The plan is still to win the Singles title.”
The 38-year-old believes that she is closer to winning the singles and that all she needs to do is to put her head down and keep working hard towards her goal.
In 2018, the athlete became the first black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon, and she reached the championships' singles and doubles finals for the first time.
“To the young ones, they must keep believing and working hard. Their dreams are valid and they must believe in the world of possibility. Their turn will come,” Montjane said.
Limpopo's MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Jerry Maseko, was also present at the airport to welcome Montjane.
The MEC told SAnews that he and the provincial leadership were excited and proud of the athlete.
“The Premier and I were both excited. She directed me to come receive this jewel, this diamond from Limpopo, from a rural township of Seshego.”
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Maseko took the time to express gratitude to the star for her dedication and the consistency she demonstrated from the grassroots to the professional level.
He also paid tribute to Montjane’s many sponsors and said he was rallying the private sector to construct a tennis court that will be named after the champ.
“It’s important to us to honour the living legend. We shouldn’t honour people when they have passed on. We must appreciate them while they’re still alive.” – SAnews.gov.za
