Tennis Legend Congratulates South Africa’s KG Making History at Wimbledon
Tennis legend Billie Jean King has sent a congratulatory message to South Africa’s wheelchair tennis champ Kgothatso Montjane (KG) on making history at Wimbledon this week, where she yesterday won both her singles and doubles semi-final matches… trailblazing her way through to two Grand Slam Finals! The American sports icon said: “Congratulations to @KGmontjane1 on […]
Tennis legend Billie Jean King has sent a congratulatory message to South Africa’s wheelchair tennis champ Kgothatso Montjane (KG) on making history at Wimbledon this week, where she yesterday won both her singles and doubles semi-final matches… trailblazing her way through to two Grand Slam Finals!
The American sports icon said: “Congratulations to @KGmontjane1 on earning her way to her first #Wimbledon singles final in Wheelchair Tennis. She is the first South African black woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final.
“Kgothatso Montjane has also reached the doubles final as well! Keep going for it!”
Billie Jean – who won a record 20 Wimbledon titles (six singles, 10 doubles and four mixed doubles) during her career – also posted a video of KG winning the semi-final yesterday. Watch below – it will give you goosebumps!
Congratulations to @KGmontjane1 on earning her way to her first #Wimbledon singles final in Wheelchair Tennis.
She is the first South African black woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final.
Kgothatso Montjane has also reached the doubles final as well!
Keep going for it! pic.twitter.com/sR7dnVSC0f
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 9, 2021
The Wimbledon Wheelchair Women’s Doubles final is today, Saturday. KG, who plays left handed, is expected to be in action around 14h30 according to Tennis SA, although times may change.
“Montjane and her British partner Lucy Shuker will face second seeds Yui Kamiji (Japan) and Jordanne Whiley (Britain) for the Wimbledon crown. The match is likely to be broadcast live in South Africa on SuperSport Channel 210,” said Tennis SA.
KG’s singles final is scheduled to be played tomorrow, Sunday 11 July.
KG’s hoping her performance will inspire a new generation of wheelchair tennis players. She told reporters: “For me, being out here is all about giving hope to Africans, not only South Africans, because we know how this sport is in our continent.
“When the young generation see someone doing well it inspires them to take up the sport. That is my hope, to keep instilling hope and encouraging the next generation to take it up.
“I also want them to realise that, no matter what challenges you face, as long as you want it, you can always get it.”
For today’s match she says: “I am just going to go out there and enjoy my first Grand Slam final and whatever happens, happens. I am looking forward to it.”