This dynamic wheelchair tennis ace came from humble beginnings, overcame major obstacles and has become a man to admire beyond the sporting realm.
Donald Ramphadi, who was runner-up in the Wimbledon men’s wheelchair doubles finals in July this year, grew up in rural Limpopo and dreamed of emulating his football idols from Orlando Pirates. He was an extremely active child and his mother had her hands full. However, Donald’s world changed forever when he was diagnosed with brittle bone disease at the age of 12.
Rewinding two decades, Donald admits that it was the toughest time of his life. “I went from being an active kid to sitting on a chair and asking people to do things for me,” he tells us from his home in Pretoria. At the time, he said to himself: “It’s done, Donald… You’re useless and you’re not going to fulfill your dreams.”
But he says the change came when he got the opportunity to attend a disability school in Tzaneen, with the help of a social worker in the area, and he accepted the way he was and came to terms with his new normal’. At the school, young Donald met children who were in an even worse state but were confident in their own bodies. That was the moment when he totally shifted his outlook.
With the support of his late mother, Linah, whom he describes as ‘Superwoman’, he realised that if he didn’t accept himself, how could he expect other people to accept him?
“Everything that I do today is to restore hope to the hopeless,” says Donald, who used to be a keen soccer player before the life-changing diagnosis. “I wanted to be a soccer star, but after I got sick I gave tennis a try [in 2009].”
Tennis SA development officer Patrick Selepe spotted his talent early on and the sport soon became an outlet through which Donald’s competitive edge was reignited. It offered him the same rush he’d experienced playing soccer in the village.
Living without limits
Ever since he started playing in the official quad division of wheelchair tennis in 2018, Donald has morphed into more than just a champion on the court. His mission is to inspire black youth – especially those with disabilities – to dream bigger.
“My message is that anything is possible, whether you have a disability or not he says. “You can be whoever you want to be but you have to work very hard.”
When he first picked up a racquet, Donald admits he saw tennis as “a sport for whites”. His achievements in the game — most notably Grand Slam titles, Paralympic medals and global recognition – have shifted the narrative and this perception. He encourages black youth with disabilities to take up tennis and believe in their potential
Donald played tennis for the longest time without material reward, but he had an unyielding belief that his time would come and he’d rise to the top of the sport. He hails from a disadvantaged family and never knew his father, but raised his head up and went for what he wanted in life.
Today, his 11-year-old son Tebogo is living out his father’s dreams as a footballer and Donald reveals his son’s nickname is ‘Neymar, owing to his Brazilian-type flair on the field.
Career bests
- Quads doubles winner at the French Open (2023), with Andy Lapthorne.
- Quads doubles bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, with Lucas Sithole (a first for Africa).
- Singles semi-finals of the US Open (2023), Australian Open (2023, 2024) and Wimbledon (2025).
- Doubles finals of the US Open (2023), Australian Open (2023, 2024) and Wimbledon (2025).
The role model
Beyond the sporting sphere, Donald is focusing on being the male role model he never had. The lessons he wants to impart to his child are to be grateful, kind and know no limits.
“I didn’t grow up with a father figure and had so many challenges. I know how painful it is and really don’t want my son to experience that,” he says. “I love to tell my story because I believe it can touch people and change how they think.”
He stresses that if someone is being negative, they can be negative, but he doesn’t allow that to disturb him. He also reveals that, for him, tangible self-acceptance came when he was comfortable wearing shorts again.
He would always wear long trousers to hide his feet until fellow wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane sparked the mindset shift. She said to Donald: “If you’re not going to accept yourself, no one is going to accept you.”
Ever since, he’s been rocking his shorts and sneakers, and if people stare, he frames it as them enjoying his fashion style instead of judging his physical appearance.
Last year, Donald admits he was not “okay mentally”, dealing with personal issues, and even thought about retiring. But he’s the sole provider and representing his family remains his ‘why’. As such, he has no plans to call time on his triumphant tennis career any time soon. He intends competing in two more Paralympics and playing for at least another 10 years.
@officialteamrsa Introducing Donald Ramphadi, an inspiring wheelchair tennis player making strides on the court! 🎾💪 With passion and resilience, he’s a true representation of #TeamSA. ♬ original sound – OfficialTeamRSA
Fast facts
Full name: Donald Tebogo Ramphadi
Nickname: Dona
DOB: 10 June 1993
Age: 32
Hometown: Mogapeng, Limpopo
Plays: Right-handed
Preferred surface: Hard
Rankings: Africa and South Africa’s No.1 quad player; sixth in the world (ITF) quad singles player; eighth in the world quad doubles player.
By: Grant Shub
Photography by: Gallo/Getty Images, Supplied
Text courtesy of MAN magazine
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