Kgothatso Montjane is focussed on her return to full health to power a turnaround in results after her disappointment after having to cut short her Australian Open campaign due to illness, after a bright start to this year’s campaign in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday, 22 January, 2025.
Montjane was forced to withdraw from her women’s singles match in the first set against second seed Aniek Van Koot, meaning that she also had to forfeit her doubles matches.
Montjane admitted it was not the way she wanted to start the year but is hopeful of a positive turnaround to 2025.
“It was quite a disappointing start to the year, having to start the year in a tournament and you are not feeling well, it’s not good at all. The most important thing for me right now is trying to get healthy and get back on my feet and hope for a better year ahead.”
SA Wheelchair Tennis icon, Kgothatso Montjane
She secured an opening victory in her first match of the tournament on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 where she got the better of England’s Lucy Shuker 6;3-4-6; 6-4 on court 6 in Melbourne.
Montjane managed to get a hold of the first set in a match that was always going to be tough against a player like Shuker. The Brit is a well-decorated athlete and a three-time medal winner at the Paralympics.
The pair jostled for superiority to get the upper hand in the first set but it ultimately was won by the South African wheelchair icon.
The second set proved to be a tougher affair for Montjane and the experience of her opponent showed as she won the tie. However, a fightback from KG saw her win the third set and the match.
Looking at Montjane’s stats from the match she was the better player in most areas of the game, hitting more aces than Shuker and completing more winners than her opponent.
Main Photo Caption: Kgothatso Montjane is hoping for a for a positive turnaround to her year after she had to withdraw from the Australian Open due to illness. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Montjane focussed on her return to full health to power a turnaround in results after her Australian Open disappointment. Photo: Supplied
Photo 3 Caption: The SA tennis icon was forced to withdraw in the first set against second seed Aniek Van Koot, and also had to forfeit her doubles matches. Photo: Supplied
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