JOHANNESBURG - Donald Ramphadi strides to a tennis court baking in Pretoria heat, as he gets ready for a practice session on the Tuks High-Performance Centre court.
Within minutes, the Wheelchair Tennis Quad star is going through an intense on-court workout, as if he were playing at a world-famous arena.
Ramphadi knows that feeling well, he lived it at the Australian Open just weeks ago.
The 29-year-old was showing off his array of shots en-route to the Australian Open doubles final along with playing partner Ymanitu Silva.
While the runner-up spot was a sensation in local Para-sport, it was a natural progression for Ramphadi, who is now ranked fifth in the men’s Wheelchair Quad rankings, having hovered just inside the top 20 at the end of 2021.
“I always knew that I’m capable of being in the top five, to even fight for spot number one,” said a quietly confident Ramphadi, who is also driven by a sense of patriotism.
No wonder he beamed with pride when recalling his role in South Africa’s World Team Cup efforts in May last year. The country won a silver medal in Portugal.
Ramphadi’s glittering moments are worlds away from the character-building path that led him to the world number five ranking.
In previous years, a lack of funds kept the natural competitor away from tour, sometimes for months at a time.
Through hard work and endurance, the Tzaneen-born star has gradually established himself, thanks in no small part to his coach Siya Nkachela. Psychologist Dr Lekgowe Thipe is set to join Team Ramphadi as will a strength and conditioning coach.
“We’re getting a good team around him to make sure that he has the tools to cope out there, because it’s one thing to have a coach and a mentor but the other guys bring in a different aspect to the game,” added coach Nkachela.
The challenge for Ramphadi is to build on his Australian Open exploits.
April will see the South African serve it up in Asia, with stops in South Korean centres Seoul and Daegu as well as the Japan Open in Iizuka.
More impressive displays from Ramphadi and the other South African Wheelchair Tennis torch bearers are vital as the Para-sport movement strives for much-needed exposure and sponsorship locally.
“Some people don’t even know that Wheelchair Tennis exists. So, our sport needs to be shown to the world,” says Ramphadi, still somewhat oblivious to Pretoria’s outdoor sauna.
Hot weather or not, the man who turns 30 in June can’t afford to slow down his practice sessions.
He and his team have their sights set on winning a grand slam, this year if possible. An ideal opportunity will present itself when the French Open starts in Paris on the 22nd of May.