Pretoria-based players dominate South African tennis team at Paralympic Games
Three Pretoria wheelchair tennis players have been included in the South African team that will soon be competing in the Paralympic Games.
Four wheelchair tennis players, three of whom have ties to TuksTennis in Pretoria, will represent South Africa at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, with the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) unveiling a strong team on Saturday as part of the larger national squad for the multi-sport event.
The SA team features Kgothatso Montjane, Mariska Venter, Evans Maripa and Leon Els. All four individuals will compete in the singles and doubles competitions.
Maripa, Montjane and Venter are all affiliated with the TuksTennis club, while Els is also a well-known face in the capital, as he is a three-time winner of the Airports Company SA Pretoria Open wheelchair tennis tournament.
World No 6 Montjane, who has been in superb form this year, is expected to lead the charge as the national squad target South Africa’s first ever wheelchair tennis medal at the Paralympics.
Montjane reached a Grand Slam final for the first time at the Wimbledon Championships in London last month, establishing herself among the medal favourites for the Tokyo showpiece.
“Wimbledon was a confidence boost and I’m looking forward to Tokyo. I’ve always said in Tokyo I just want to aim for a medal – it doesn’t matter which colour – and after my performance at Wimbledon I don’t see why it’s not attainable,” said Montjane, who will turn out at the Paralympics for the fourth time in her career.
The 35-year-old player from TuksTennis in Pretoria, who also competed in the Wimbledon doubles final with British partner Lucy Shuker, will pair up with Venter in the doubles competition at the Games.
Receiving a wildcard entry from the International Tennis Federation, world No 35 Venter will make her Paralympic debut.
“I’ve worked hard for this for the last seven years. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to gain this experience on the biggest stage. It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to live the dream,” said Venter, who was delighted to be selected after missing the cut for the 2016 Rio Games.
Meanwhile, in the men’s division, world No 31 Maripa has qualified for the Games on merit, while Els has been given an opportunity with a wildcard entry.
Maripa will turn out at the Games for the third time, while Els will make his second appearance at the quadrennial event.
“It would be the best feeling to be on the podium representing South Africa. It wouldn’t really matter much if I played for a gold, silver or bronze, although the main goal is to get gold,” Maripa said.
A total of 104 wheelchair tennis players from 31 nations will compete at the Tokyo Games, with the action on the court taking place at Ariake Tennis Park between August 27 and September 4.
Mood when you’re HAPPY with your kit for #Paralympics 🥰🔥
Many thanks to our amazing sponsors @MrPriceSport & @Veldskoenshoes for kitting our athletes out for #Tokyo2020 🇿🇦#TeamSA pic.twitter.com/476u1FNEpL
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 16, 2021
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