Kgothatso Montjane didn’t just open her Australian Open campaign with a win — she set the tone for a gritty, determined run in Melbourne.
The South African wheelchair tennis star came through a testing first-round encounter against Colombia’s Angelica Bernal, sealing a 7-5, 6-4 victory on a blustery Court 8.
With swirling winds and no easy points on offer, Montjane showed composure when it mattered most, edging ahead in the tight moments and refusing to let the conditions dictate the match.
Serving Through the Pressure
After the match, Montjane was quick to highlight one part of her game that stood out: her serve.
In tricky conditions, it became her anchor.
She felt she could have taken control sooner, but staying aggressive paid off.
Instead of backing off, she kept reminding herself to commit fully to each serve — a mindset that helped her push through the closing stages of both sets.
A Match That Tested More Than Skill
This was never going to be a comfortable opener.
Montjane admitted the battle wasn’t just physical, but mental too.
Staying present proved difficult at times, especially when momentum shifted.
Still, she walked away seeing that challenge as a positive — a reminder of what she needs to sharpen as the tournament unfolds.
Carrying an Injury Into Melbourne
What made the win even more impressive was the fact that Montjane arrived in Melbourne carrying an injury picked up just days earlier in Sydney.
During a warm-up event, strong winds interfered with her serve, forcing an awkward motion that resulted in a pulled muscle and joint pain.
By match day, her left shoulder was heavily taped, and midway through the second set she needed extra strapping on her left forearm.
With her shoulder compromised, other muscles were forced to compensate — particularly in her forearm — adding another layer of difficulty to an already demanding contest.
Why Melbourne Feels Like Home
Despite the challenges, Montjane made it clear she’s happy to be back at the Australian Open.
For her, Melbourne holds a special place on the tennis calendar.
She described the tournament as one of the most welcoming Grand Slams, praising the hospitality and how players are treated throughout the event.
The atmosphere, she said, makes competitors feel valued — like royalty on and off the court.
Familiar Faces and Friendly Hellos
Montjane has also enjoyed crossing paths with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, a fellow South African.
She noted that she’s seen him regularly around the grounds, including a quick greeting on the opening day when players were warned that extreme heat could delay matches.
Those small, familiar moments have helped her settle into the tournament environment.
When Melbourne Turned Up the Heat
The heat, however, was impossible to ignore.
Tuesday’s temperatures soared beyond 45°C — conditions Montjane said were unlike anything she’s experienced before.
Even coming from Pretoria, she admitted this was on another level entirely.
She managed a light early-morning hit before retreating indoors, spending the rest of the day escaping the heat under air conditioning.
According to Montjane, staying out on court for long would have been impossible.
The conditions were simply brutal.
Tough Enough to Push On
Asked about coping with the extreme weather and physical strain, Montjane agreed with the idea that toughness is part of her identity — and part of why she continues to compete at the highest level.
That resilience will be needed again soon.
A Quarter-Final Challenge Awaits
Next up for Montjane is a tough quarter-final clash against Chinese fourth seed Ziying Wang.
With a hard-fought opening win behind her and confidence growing despite the injury, Montjane heads into the next round battle-tested and ready.
Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne for The South African.f
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