History-maker Kgothatso Montjane hopes she can awaken a whole new generation of wheelchair tennis players after the South African trailblazed her way to two Grand Slam finals at the Wimbledon Championships.

By dispatching Japan’s Momoko Ohtani in the semi-finals of the women’s wheelchair singles, world No. 5 Montjane became the first black woman from South Africa to reach a Grand Slam singles final.

The 35-year-old, who in 2018 was first black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon, defeated Ohtani 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 and now faces top seed and world No. 1 Diede de Groot in the final. However, there were more accolades to come her way on what proved a momentous day.

Buoyed by her success over world No. 6 Ohtani, Montjane then teamed up with Great Britain’s Lucy Shuker as the duo shocked top seeds De Groot and Aniek van Koot in the women’s doubles. The formidable pairing of Yui Kamiji and Jordanne Whiley await in the final.

“For me, being out here is all about giving hope to Africans, not only South Africans, because we know how this sport is in our continent,” said Montjane.

“When the young generation see someone doing well it inspires them to take up the sport. That is my hope, to keep instilling hope and encouraging the next generation to take it up.

“I also want them to realise that, no matter what challenges you face, as long as you want it, you can always get it.”

It has been a long time coming for Montjane, who has lost eight previous Grand Slam singles semi-finals, and statistics alone hint at the scale of the challenge facing her against serial title-winner De Groot.  

While Montjane will be contesting her first Grand Slam singles final, De Groot will go in search of her 11th singles crown at a major after overcoming home favourite Jordanne Whiley 6-4 6-1 in the other last-four tussle. For her part, Montjane is keen to continue riding the wave of optimism.

“I am just going to go out there and enjoy my first Grand Slam final and whatever happens, happens. I am looking forward to it,” added Montjane, who reached the doubles final alongside Shuker at this year's Australian Open, only to lose out to De Groot and Van Koot.

In the men’s wheelchair draw, Great Britain’s Gordon Reid continued his quest for a second Wimbledon singles title in style as he defeated Argentina’s 2019 champion Gustavo Fernandez 6-4 0-6 6-2.

In the final, he will face Joachim Gerard, who outmanoeuvred Stephane Houdet following a rip-roaring second set tiebreak. The match finished 7-5 7-6(16) in Gerard's favour as the Belgian reached his third singles final in four Grand Slams.

It proved a thoroughly productive day for both Reid and Gerard as they followed their singles success with doubles joy. Reid teamed up with fellow Briton Alfie Hewett as they saw off the challenge of Fernandez and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda, while Gerard and Tom Egberink of the Netherlands edged past Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.

Elsewhere, the first wheelchair title of this year’s Championships was decided as Great Britain’s Andy Lapthorne and David Wagner of the United States were crowned quad doubles champions following a pulsating and hugely entertaining victory.

The duo defeated Australia’s Dylan Alcott and Sam Schroder of the Netherlands, who will meet in the quad singles final, 6-1 3-6 6-4 and in the process became the first quad doubles partnership to complete a career Grand Slam of doubles titles.

“It’s amazing,” said Lapthorne. “I was aware of that after Roland Garros [where he and Wagner defeated Alcott and Schroder in the final] and to win here with David feels so great.

“He has become a good friend of mine over the years. We have been rivals for a long time and it’s amazing to complete the career Grand Slam with a friend and someone who I love playing with.

“It was such a great experience and to do it in a match like that – I think that was one of the best matches of quad doubles you’ll ever see – was really special.”

After clinching the first set, which was closer than the scoreline suggests, Lapthorne and Wagner felt the full force of their opponents as Alcott and Schroder came storming back. However, they were not to be denied.

“We play as a team and that’s the key. We’re never going to give up, especially here at Wimbledon,” added Lapthorne, who partnered Alcott to win the inaugural Wimbledon quad doubles title in 2019. 

Lapthorne’s sentiments were fully supported by Wagner, who claimed his 21st Grand Slam doubles title, but his very first, whether that be singles or doubles, here at Wimbledon.

“We talked about it during that first set and after it,” he said. “They’re not just going to roll over and give us the second set. We knew that and we expected that. No way did we expect them to say, ‘here you go, here is the Wimbledon title’.

“They’re going to fight. But it helps knowing that, accepting that and talking about it.”

Lapthorne confirmed he would have “a few beers” this evening in celebration although the bigger party may be reserved for Sunday as he is due at Wembley for England’s showdown with Italy in the final of the European Championships.

“Get this guy a free ticket. He shouldn’t have to pay, he’s a Wimbledon champion,” added Wagner, who confirmed he will be watching on Sunday but reaffirmed his love for NFL outfit Seattle Seahawks before reflecting once more on his and Lapthorne's triumph.

“I’m going to let the reality of this soak in because it’s pretty awesome. Being a Wimbledon champion is pretty phenomenal," he added.