Kgothatso Montjane’s Wimbledon run ends, but disability impact goes far deeper
· The South African
The Ladies’ wheelchair doubles campaign of South Africa’s world No 11 Kgothatso Montjane and Great Britain’s world No 14 Lucy Shuker ended in the Wimbledon 2026 semi‑finals – a result overshadowed by the remarkable nature of their partnership and the disabilities they navigate to compete at the highest level.
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The duo were the most disabled pairing in this year’s wheelchair ladies draw.
They had hoped to recreate the magic of 2021, when both reached the singles and doubles finals.
After a gritty three‑set quarter-final win over Jiske Griffioen and Ksenia Chasteau on Wednesday, they fell to top seeds Yui Kamiji and Zhenzhen Zhu 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday.
Deeper realities of wheelchair tennis
But it was their post‑match press conferences that revealed the deeper realities of wheelchair tennis.
The South African’s Amisha Savani spoke to the duo after their quarter-final, focusing on disability classifications.
Wimbledon currently has two divisions: the Wheelchair Ladies/Gentlemen’s draw for athletes with permanent leg impairments but full upper‑body function, and the Quad division for players with significant loss of function in at least one upper limb.
Kgothatso Montjane was born with amniotic band syndrome, which compromised limb development.
Her left leg was amputated at age 12, and parts of her fingers are missing. This affects her grip and wheelchair movement, requiring racquet modifications.
Shuker became a T4 paraplegic after a motorbike accident and is paralysed from the chest down, making core‑dependent movements exceptionally challenging.
Contrasting strengths
But their contrasting strengths make the partnership work.
Shuker explained: “Doubles allows me to use my flair, so use the hands. KG’s reach and movement at the back of the court, and hustling, ball striking is incredible at the moment as well so it gives me confidence”.
Kgothatso Montjane and Shuker compete in the Ladies’ division, despite both having disabilities that extend beyond the rest of the draw.
Savani asked whether more categorisation was needed, given the wide range of disabilities within each division.
The two are divided on the topic, but respect each other’s views. Shuker thinks there should be more categorisation, Montjane thinks there shouldn’t.
Shuker: “As one of the most disabled girls in singles, I think it would grow the sport because I think it would give the opportunity for more people with profound disability to come to the sport”.
She added: “I am one of the most disabled, so I’m obviously going to want another Lucy to come through … That also translates into society”.
The British star stressed that clear divisions would enable others in the position to know that they can also do it, and have value.
Dilute the sport
Kgothatso Montjane believes additional categories would dilute the sport and move it away from tennis.
“When it comes to disability sport, it’s one of the adapted sports that’s almost relatable to the actual tennis”.
Referencing the main (able-bodied) draw: “I feel like that’s the direction we should be going in … not to cut down the quads, but the quads are no longer the quadriplegics that we know”.
She even supports reducing the bounce allowance from two to one.
“The sport is evolving; the draws are growing in grand slams, so why not keep it competitive like everybody?”
Looking ahead, the duo face uncertainty.
Shuker admitted this may be her final Wimbledon, citing qualification challenges and rising competition.
“I didn’t qualify directly this year, and you know, singles is incredibly tough. With my disability, my age, the girls are hitting bigger and faster. But I haven’t stopped loving tennis”.
‘Tough call’
Kgothatso Montjane said reuniting for the US Open would be a “tough call”, as Shuker would need to qualify or receive a wildcard. Montjane will gain direct entry, but Shuker likely won’t.
With pairings being confirmed now, Montjane may need to commit soon.
“We’re not sure what can happen, so it’s tough.”
Shuker acknowledged the dilemma.
“The problem with KG is that if she waits, she could end up with a weaker doubles partner, so I would have full respect for KG to partner up with someone else … That’s the heartbreak of wheelchair tennis, that it’s the singles dominated sport and then you get to play doubles”.
She added that separate singles and doubles entries might one day be possible, though logistically difficult.
Paid tribute
Reflecting on her journey, Shuker said: “sometimes success isn’t always about trophies. It’s about showing up every single day and giving it your all and I’ve embraced it” and “I didn’t expect to be a Paralympian, didn’t expect to be competing at Grand Slams, so for me, that’s been the success: embracing the journey, accepting my disability, finding the joy in life, day to day”.
Kgothatso Montjane paid tribute to her partner.
“It’s been incredible … Coming from Africa, Lucy’s one of the players that I’ve gotten close to, she’s introduced me to the tour, made me comfortable around the tour, so she’ll be sorely missed if she stopped, because she’s always made the environment quite easy for me”.
Shuker ended with words that resonated, and left the room with unexpected emotional clarity.
“People can take things for granted very easily. I think there’s a lot of people in the world that can struggle and I think my accident gave me that choice to either accept it and move on, and don’t focus on the ‘if’s.
“Life is for living and life is for embracing challenges, and through challenges we learn and we grow as people. Sometimes you have to look really deep inside yourself to come out the other side”.
Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon