Kgothatso Montjane has proven her resilience by battling both illness and a tough opponent in her first-round wheelchair singles match at the 2025 Australian Open.
The South African star triumphed over Great Britain’s Lucy Shuker in a hard-fought match, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Overcoming a Health Setback
Montjane was initially in control of the match, leading 4-1 in the second set and looking on track for a straight-sets victory.
However, the tide turned as Montjane’s energy began to rapidly decrease.
The tennis star, who was battling influenza, admitted that her physical condition was a challenge throughout the match.
“It was tough. I should have finished it in two sets,” Montjane said.
“I haven’t really been well, and I caught a viral infection, so it’s been tough.
At 4-1, I thought I could finish it, but my energy went from 100% to 0, and I had to keep my head strong.”
Mental Resilience and Positive Mindset
Despite the physical setback, Montjane remained mentally focused.
She leaned on her experience and positive self-talk to push through the third set.
“I just kept telling myself to stay positive,” she shared.
“I know this Open so well, and I know I can handle it. I just kept motivating myself to keep fighting.”
Montjane was realistic about her performance, acknowledging that it wasn’t her best tennis in the second and third sets but expressed relief that she was able to keep pushing despite the challenges.
Struggling with Illness and Limited Preparation
The illness had also impacted her preparations for the tournament, limiting her practice time.
“I haven’t been able to practice as much as I wanted to, so I just did the least I could with what I had,” she explained.
However, Montjane is optimistic that she is recovering and ready to face the next challenges.
“They’ve treated the virus, and it’s almost out of my system.
Now I’m taking one day at a time to get stronger,” she said.
A Busy Day Ahead
Montjane is gearing up for a big day on Wednesday, with a singles match against second-seed Aniek Van Koot from the Netherlands.
Later, she will team up with Japan’s Shiori Funamizu for a doubles match against the tournament’s No. 1 seeds, Van Koot and Jiske Griffioen.
“Right now, it’s all about making sure I recover well,” Montjane said as she prepares for the upcoming challenges.
Reflecting on Her Wimbledon Victory
In the midst of her Australian Open campaign, Montjane took a moment to reflect on her historic doubles win at Wimbledon in 2024.
The victory was not only a personal achievement but also a significant milestone for South African tennis.
“Yeah man. It was quite an achievement for me and the country,” she shared.
“That’s what we strive for—representing our country with pride and achieving the best results.”
The support she received following her Wimbledon win has motivated her to keep pushing forward.
“People really showed me some love, and it’s one of the things that keeps me going,” Montjane said, calling it her proudest tennis achievement.
A Sudden Withdrawal from the Tournament
Unfortunately, Montjane’s Australian Open run came to a halt when she was forced to withdraw from both her singles and doubles events.
After just 20 minutes of play in her match against second seed Aniek Van Koot, Montjane retired at 3-0 down in the first set.
She also withdrew from the wheelchair doubles, giving the Dutch No. 1 seeds a walkover into the semi-finals.
As Montjane recovers from her illness, she is taking the time to rest and recharge, hoping to return stronger in future tournaments.
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