For South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane, simply to be at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is a source of elation.

“It took a bit of time,” she said, with just a lick of understatement. “But I’m just happy to finally have an opportunity to be at the Games, because obviously we were not so sure if they were going to happen.

“Honestly, I’m just happy. I’ve been waiting for the longest time, so I can’t wait for things to kick off.”

Things have now kicked off for Montjane, a winner with compatriot Mariska Venter in the women’s wheelchair doubles first round, the duo beating Colombia’s Angelica Bernal and Johnana Martinez 6-1 6-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with British No. 2 seeds Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley.

But it is in singles where the South African has truly shone in recent times. Montjane arrives in Tokyo a month after reaching the Wimbledon final, where she lost out to world No. 1 Diede De Groot. It may be two years since she landed her last title – and Covid-19 has played its part in that – but her current status as the world No. 6, one position shy of the career-best ranking she reached back in 2013, proves that the 35-year-old is in a purple patch.

At the heart of that resurgence has been Montjane’s laser focus on the Paralympics.

“For me, every tournament I’ve played before Tokyo, I’ve been saying that I’m preparing for the Paralympics,” she explains. “I just needed to see where I am in terms of competition, because having to take a year out has been messy for me, and caused a lot of doubts in my game.

“But having seen myself being able to compete was just the biggest thing, to measure where I was just before Tokyo.”

Warm-up events don’t come much bigger than Wimbledon. Montjane beat Bernal and Japan’s Momoko Ohtani to reach the first Grand Slam final of her career, hot on the heels of semi-final appearances at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

“That was great for me, to really push that far,” she said. “I needed that for the longest time, and it obviously gave me confidence. I’m coming into these Games relaxed, but I’m taking nothing for granted.

“I know the pressure at a Paralympics is different, because here we’re representing our countries, but the strategy will be the same: take one match at a time, keep fighting, and see how far I can push.”

To underscore her resurgence and status in South African sport, Montjane was selected as one of the nation’s flagbearers in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, walking into the stadium on her prosthetic leg at the head of her nation’s delegation.

“The experience of being a flagbearer was quite amazing,” she said. “It was quite a surprise when I was told, but it was great to lead a group of talented athletes, and for me I also think it’s a big moment for wheelchair tennis in South Africa. We’ve had our own struggles, and I just want it to give hope and encourage people to keep supporting us.

“Wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, so it was great to see.”

Like so many of the players at Ariake Tennis Park, Montjane has been blown away by the hospitality of their Paralympic hosts, if not by the hot and humid conditions.

“Life in Tokyo has been amazing," she said. "Everyone in Tokyo is so nice – the Japanese are very nice people. The atmosphere is great, despite the conditions, which is something we expected. We are in the most welcoming country ever. It’s just a matter of cherishing the moment and having good time.”

A trip to the podium would elevate Montjane’s Paralympic odyssey beyond a mere good time, however – and she makes no secret of her ambitions.

“My goals for the competition, obviously, I’m just hoping I can push until the podium – I don’t care what colour medal! I just hope I can push that far. With my performances this year, I just feel ready. I hope I can hang in there and push as hard as I can to finish on the last day!”