EL teen ready to make history at French Open
Khololwam Montsi SA’s first black junior at French Open in 20 years
East London teen tennis sensation Khololwam Montsi has declared himself ready for the clay courts at his debut French Open Junior Tennis Championships at Roland Garros in Paris.
The 17-year-old Montsi received his second direct entry into the main draw of a Junior Grand Slam tournament‚ which is scheduled to be played from October 4 to 10‚ and said he was ready to soak up the atmosphere.
“It feels good to be able to play in a junior grand slam‚ especially the French Open‚ because it is the one tournament I really wanted to play in.
“My team and I are confident going into this tournament because we have prepared well‚” said the upbeat Montsi.
He will be the first black South African junior player since Peter-Jon Nomdo in 2000 to play at the prestigious tennis tournament in 20 years.
“I am sure there have been other black junior players who have played [in the French Open] but to be the first from SA in 20 years is incredibly special‚” Montsi said.
“I want to take this opportunity with both hands and come back home with a title.
“I am super happy to be part of this event and competing with some of the top guys in the junior circuit.”
The French Open junior event will be Montsi’s first tournament since March when he lost in the opening round of the Potchefstroom ATP Challenger 50.
“The French Open will be my first tournament in six months. It is a long time but we have been working hard.
“I spent the last month on the clay ‚” he said.
“We have worked hard on the physical side, especially in the gym‚ knowing that the clay is tough.
“We have done the right work. It would be great to go a week earlier to prepare on the real clay‚ but it is not possible due to Covid-19.”
Montsi is one of SA’s up and coming talents with a Junior ITF Ranking of 13. Earlier this year he was included as part of the SA team that participated in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia.
“Obviously ‚ Covid-19 has made things hard for everyone and it is a risky time to be travelling but I do feel safe as we will be in a bubble in Paris‚ so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.
“After waiting so long for tournaments‚ everyone just wants to get out there and start playing again. It is a bit scary travelling right now‚ but I think it’s something we all want to do and take the risk.”