U.S. Open finalist Kgothatso Montjane made SA history at the tournament - 5 things to know about the wheelchair tennis star

Kgothatso Montjane sought after the Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open. While she was unsuccessful during the Grand Slam women’s doubles final, which she entered for the first time ever, Kgothatso has made history in South African sport.

Despite not taking the title at the Grand Slam, Kgothatso’s spirits are still high and filled with gratitude.

Kgothatso has shown resilience and strength countless times before - she once shared her story of going to compete in London alone without even a coach and not having her sponsor, but was adamant in not having life’s hurdles stop her.

READ MORE: SA tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane on beating the odds and going to Wimbledon

In her sports experiences, Kgothatso has competed at international stages such as Wimbledon and the Paralympics in Beijing, China. But there’s a lot more to know about one of South Africa’s best athletes.

READ MORE: Meet 5 of South Africa's successful black women in science - and they're under 35

Here are five things to know about Kgothatso Montjane:

1. She grew up in Seshego, Polokwane in Limpopo with her two younger siblings Matsha and Masesi.

2. Kgothatso began her tennis career at 20 years old when she received the equipment necessary for her to play wheelchair tennis.

3. She learned to use a prosthetic limb, but Kgothatso was always more comfortable in her wheelchair when playing the sports she excelled in. She was born with a congenital birth defect and went through a single amputation below the knee when she was 12 years old.

4. At 33, Kgothatso is ranked number five in world and, in 2018, became the first African woman to play at Wimbledon, reaching the semi-finals.

5. She attended Helen Franz Special School in Bochum and pursued a social science degree at the University of Venda for Science and Technology.

Sources: Drum Magazine, Sport24 and www.kgothatsomontjane.com

Sign up for W24's newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.