POLOKWANE – Limpopo’s own Kgothatso Montjane has etched her name in history by becoming the first African woman to win a Wimbledon title.

On Sunday, at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England, Montjane and her partner, Yui Kamiji of Japan, clinched the prestigious title after they triumphed over the Dutch duo Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen with a straight-sets victory of 6-4, 6-4.

A third Grand Slam title together for Yui Kamiji and Kgothatso Montjane 🇯🇵 🇿🇦

The No.1 seeds defeat Diede De Groot and Jiske Griffioen 6-4, 6-4 to secure the Ladies' Wheelchair Doubles title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WSwm3mcLh4

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024

This victory marks Montjane and Kamiji’s third Grand Slam title together, affirming their status as the world’s top wheelchair tennis team.

Montjane expressed immense joy and pride in this achievement: “This is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for South African sport, particularly in wheelchair tennis. Winning a major Grand Slam has always been a dream for me, and achieving it at Wimbledon makes the victory even more special.”

Starting her tennis journey at the age of 19, Montjane admitted that while it wasn’t her childhood dream to win Wimbledon, it is a dream for every tennis player to win a Grand Slam.

She emphasised the importance of hard work, perseverance, and self-belief to young girls from Limpopo aspiring to emulate her success.

Montjane’s journey stands as a testament to what can be achieved with determination and a strong support system.

She hopes her success will inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams.

Proud congratulations to our star from Seshego, Kgothatso Montjane, and her Japanese partner, Yui Kamiji, on their straight-sets win over Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen to become the 2024 Women’s Wheelchair Tennis Doubles champions at Wimbledon this weekend.

This victory at… pic.twitter.com/9bqoqmRuca

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 14, 2024

She plans to visit Limpopo on Tuesday to meet with Government and showcase her trophy.

This visit aims to celebrate her victory with her home province, serving as a powerful reminder that greatness can come from anywhere and that hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Looking ahead, Montjane has several major tournaments lined up for the rest of the year, including the Paralympics and other significant competitions.

She remains focused and dedicated to continuing her success and solidifying her place as a top competitor in the sport.

A moment to remember for Kgothatso Montjane who has won the Ladies wheelchair doubles title at #Wimbledon alongside Yui Kamiji 🏆 pic.twitter.com/j5xsRqawL9

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 14, 2024

The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba extended heartfelt congratulations and joy on Montjane’s remarkable achievement.

“Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have paid off, showcasing your exceptional talent and skill. You have made us all proud. We hope this achievement will inspire other young girls, especially from rural areas, to believe that the sky’s the limit,” Ramathuba said.

She noted that Montjane’s Wimbledon win is her third overall doubles Grand Slam title.

“At 36 years old, Montjane is a true daughter of the soil, hailing from Seshego. She is currently ranked number one in South Africa in the women’s disabled division, and has earned numerous accolades, solidifying her status as an inspiring sports icon.” Ramathuba emphasised that Montjane’s success serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.