The tournaments are ‘high grade’ events, allowing these seemingly inexhaustible athletes an opportunity to improve their  international standing, with the ultimate goal of securing spots within the top 10 player rankings in the world.

The first stop of the tour is in St Louis where the players will compete in the US Open, UTSA Wheelchair Tennis Championships, followed by the Canada International Championships which are being hosted by Montreal. The final leg of the tour is the PTR Championships which will be played in HiltonHead, US. The tournaments will all offer both players - who continue to stamp their authority on the game – on court experience to increase their International Tennis Federation (ITF) points to secure an entry into the 2012 Paralympics. 

Montjane and Sithole will start their tour with a bang, with the first tournament being a ‘super series’ level event, where the draw includes the top 12 ladies in the world, along with 9 of the top 15  quads in the world. The players will not only need to draw on their previous successes, but also have their ‘A game’ ready if they are to make heads turn in St Louis.

WTSA director Holger Losch said “The first event is not about them taking the title, but more about gaining experience, implementing their game plans, and building the belief that they belong there. It is in the second and third week, both Grade II Events, where we expect both Montjane and Sithole to really shine, as they vie for a title.”  

Montjane, who is the No.1 ranked player in the women’s division in South Africa said, “I am looking forward to the tournaments and hope to perform well enough to reach the top 10 rankings in the world.”  Sithole, South Africa’s No. 1 quad, who is ranked 15 in the world, is known for his keen display of athleticism and speed around the court said, “I’m hoping to get to the finals of either the Tennis Canada International Championship or the PTR Open which will position me well on my journey to the Paralympics next year. I know I can do it, all I need is to focus on my game and not worry about my opponent’s strategy.”

Losch said, “This will be an exciting time for our star players; and seeing them start to win some of these high grade events internationally will go a long way towards the achievement of their goals: to be honoured with a medal at the Paralympics next year.  We wish them luck and are behind them all the way.  They have enough talent and determination to come home with the titles!”

As one of the fastest growing disabled sports around the globe, South Africa is proud to boast over 80 wheelchair tennis players who hold significant positions on the ITF world rankings; this is more than any other nation.



No.1 ranked player in the quad’s division in South Africa, Lucas Sithole.