The official draw for the Paris Paralympics wheelchair tennis event was unveiled during a ceremony held on Tuesday at the prestigious Le Club des Loges, Roland Garros.
South Africa are proudly represented by five exceptional athletes – Kgothatso Montjane, Mariska Venter, Donald Ramphadi, Lucas Sithole and Alwande Sikhosana – competing across the women’s, men’s and quads categories.
The event is set to begin tomorrow, with the finals scheduled for next Saturday, September 7.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Montjane, currently the world No 8, is seeded seventh in the women’s singles draw.
She is eyeing her first Paralympic medal in Paris, starting her campaign against China’s Luoyao Guo, who is ranked 19th globally.
Should she progress, Montjane could face a formidable challenge in the quarter-finals against the Dutch top seed, Diede de Groot.
Joining Montjane in the women’s draw is Venter, who faces a tough opening match against Japan’s Yui Kamiji, the world No 2.
Venter, ranked 32nd, will be aiming to cause an upset as she battles to advance to the next round. Venter will join forces with Montjane in the doubles competition, where they hope to make a deep run.
Let The Games Begin!#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/b9yi5aBEPE
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) August 28, 2024
Alwande Sikhosana, the reigning Africa Para-Games champion, is the sole South African in the men’s draw.
The 24-year-old, ranked 20th in the world, will face Brazil’s 51-year-old Gustavo Silva, ranked 36th, in his first match.
This will be their second encounter, with Silva having won their previous meeting at the 2019 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in straight sets.
In the quads event, two-time Grand Slam champion Donald Ramphadi, the world No 4, is set to make his Paralympic debut.
He begins his journey against Brazil’s Leandro Pena, the world No 13. A potential second-round clash with Dutch top seed Sam Schroder looms large if Ramphadi advances.
“It’s not going to be easy. Everyone who qualifies for the Paralympics is exceptional at what they do. The draw at the Paralympic Games is as tough as any Grand Slam – there are no easy matches. I am excited to play, enjoy myself and showcase my talent on the biggest stage,” Ramphadi told the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
We are bringing the Vibes!!!#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/20WOdrQnfD
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) August 28, 2024
“Competing at the Paralympics for the first time means a lot to me. I have spent the last three years striving to qualify, and now that I am here, it already feels like a victory.
“But I also remind myself that I’m carrying the South African flag on my shoulders. I will give my all to represent my country well.”
Joining Ramphadi in the quads event is former world No 2 and two-time Grand Slam champion Lucas Sithole.
Sithole has drawn a challenging first-round match against second seed Niels Vink of the Netherlands, who has dominated the Wheelchair Tennis Tour in recent years.
Sithole and Ramphadi will also pair up for the doubles competition, where they aim to make an impact. | Tennis South Africa