Donald Ramphadi

Donald Ramphadi Bio

Donald Ramphadi, nicknamed Dona, is a South African wheelchair tennis player who competes in the quad division of the sport. Born on 10 June 1993, Ramphadi first picked up a racket in 2009 and went on to win the 2023 French Open quad wheelchair doubles championship alongside partner Andy Lapthorne. In 2024, he added a Paralympic bronze medal to his list of accomplishments, securing the first-ever wheelchair tennis medal for the African continent.

Early Life and Background

Donald Ramphadi was born on 10 June 1993 in Mogapeng, a village in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. He was fully able-bodied until the age of 12, when he developed osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. His mobility decreased over time until he could barely walk, though it later improved when his mother suggested he begin walking with a cane she had collected in a local forest.

He first started playing tennis in 2009 while studying at Letaba Special School in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province. At first, Ramphadi believed tennis was a sport mostly played by white South Africans, but he soon grew passionate about the game and committed himself to learning the craft.

Path to Wheelchair Tennis

Donald Ramphadi trained in the sport for several years before being officially cleared to compete in the quad division of wheelchair tennis in 2018. Once certified, he moved quickly into international competition, joining a growing circuit of quad players and representing South Africa on the global stage.

He attended the University of South Africa and continued to develop his game in Pretoria, where he currently lives. Ramphadi built his early reputation through consistent results in regional and international wheelchair tennis events, eventually earning the right to compete in Grand Slam and Paralympic competition.

Donald Ramphadi Career

Early Career (2018–2022)

Donald Ramphadi began competing at the international level after being cleared for the quad division in 2018. He worked his way into the main draws of major events and steadily built a career singles record of 160 wins against 100 losses.

By 2022, Ramphadi had reached the semifinals of the US Open in quad singles, signaling his arrival among the top players in the division. His doubles partnerships also matured during this period, with frequent collaborators including Andy Lapthorne, Lucas Sithole, and Koji Sugeno.

Grand Slam Breakthrough (2023–2024)

Donald Ramphadi achieved his career-defining moment at the 2023 French Open, where he and Andy Lapthorne won the quad wheelchair doubles title at Roland-Garros. The final was played on Ramphadi’s 30th birthday, and he competed using a secondhand wheelchair, a detail that underscored the resourcefulness behind his success.

That same year, Ramphadi reached his career-high singles ranking of No. 3 on 17 July 2023. He also advanced to the Australian Open and Wimbledon semifinals in singles and reached the Australian Open and US Open doubles finals, establishing himself as one of the top competitors in the quad division.

In 2024, Ramphadi continued his strong form. He reached the Australian Open semifinals in singles again, made the French Open semifinals, and climbed to a career-high doubles ranking of No. 3 on 22 January 2024. He reached the Australian Open doubles final once more, confirming his place near the top of the game.

2024 Paralympic Games Era

Donald Ramphadi and his partner Lucas Sithole competed in the quad doubles wheelchair tennis event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The pair reached the semifinals, where they lost to the 2020 gold medalists Sam Schröder and Niels Vink.

Ramphadi and Sithole then defeated the Brazilian pair of Ymanitu Silva and Leandro Pena to win the bronze medal. The medal was South Africa’s fourth of the 2024 Games and the first-ever wheelchair tennis medal won by an African country, a historic achievement for the continent.

Driving Style and Strengths

Donald Ramphadi is known for his steady temperament and willingness to compete in demanding conditions, including playing major finals in a secondhand wheelchair. His doubles partnerships have been central to his success, particularly with Andy Lapthorne and Lucas Sithole, and his ability to lift his level on the biggest stages has defined his career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Ramphadi’s most celebrated moment came at the 2023 French Open, where he and Andy Lapthorne won the quad doubles title on his 30th birthday. He added the 2024 Paralympic bronze with Lucas Sithole, securing Africa’s first wheelchair tennis medal, and reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 3 in July 2023.

Donald Ramphadi Career Wins

Donald Ramphadi has built a strong record across quad wheelchair tennis competition, highlighted by Grand Slam doubles titles and Paralympic success. He has also remained a consistent presence in Grand Slam singles draws and other major international events.

Grand Slam Highlights

Donald Ramphadi’s Grand Slam doubles title came at the 2023 French Open, where he and Andy Lapthorne won the quad doubles championship. He has also reached the doubles final at the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, the US Open in 2023, and Wimbledon in 2025, with multiple partners across those runs.

In singles, Ramphadi reached the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, the French Open in 2024, Wimbledon in 2023, and the US Open in 2022. He peaked at No. 3 in the world in singles on 17 July 2023.

Other Wins & Performances

Beyond Grand Slams, Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole won bronze in quad doubles at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. He reached the semifinals in quad doubles at the same Games and has been a runner-up in several major doubles finals, with partners including Andy Lapthorne, Lucas Sithole, and Koji Sugeno.

Donald Ramphadi Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Donald Ramphadi was raised in Mogapeng, a village in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. His mother played an important role in his mobility journey by encouraging him to walk with a cane she had collected in a local forest, a step that helped him regain part of his movement.

Personal Life

Donald Ramphadi now lives in Pretoria, South Africa. He is a father to one son. Outside of competition, he has spoken about wanting to encourage more young Black South Africans to pick up tennis, noting that his Grand Slam title gives him a platform to change how young players at home think about the sport.

2025 Season Performance

Donald Ramphadi entered the 2025 season ranked No. 6 in quad singles and No. 8 in quad doubles as of 26 August 2024. He reached the Wimbledon doubles final in 2025, continuing his pattern of competing in the closing rounds of major events.

With his Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze still fresh, Ramphadi is positioned as one of the senior voices in the quad division. His experience with partners such as Andy Lapthorne and Lucas Sithole gives him flexibility in doubles selection, while his singles ranking keeps him in contention at the Slams.

Looking ahead, Ramphadi’s goals include pushing for another Grand Slam doubles title and remaining a medal threat at future Paralympic Games. He has also highlighted his aim of inspiring more young Black South Africans to take up the sport, a mission that continues to shape his public profile.