EXPLAINER
World no 318’s victory over Marin Cilic additionally made him the youngest man to say a Grand Slam victory in 17 years.
Revealed On 27 Could 2026
Roland Garros may need witnessed the delivery of a brand new tennis megastar this week when native teenager Moise Kouame took a historic victory on the French Open to turn out to be the youngest man to win a serious main-draw match in 17 years.
Aged 17 years and two months, Kouame defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6(4) 6-2 6-1, elevating his arms and throwing his head again as the house crowd on Court docket Simonne-Mathieu applauded his feat.
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The victory made him the youngest male participant to win a singles Grand Slam match since Australia’s Bernard Tomic reached the 2009 Australian Open second spherical on the age of 16. Kouame is the youngest participant to register a first-round win on the French Open since Dinu Pescariu of Romania in 1991.
He additionally grew to become the primary teenager to defeat a serious champion in his debut Grand Slam fundamental draw match since Marat Safin defeated Andre Agassi at Roland Garros in 1998.
Right here’s every thing to know concerning the rising teen sensation.
What’s Moise Kouame’s private background?
Born in 2009 within the Parisian suburb of Sarcelles, Kouame is of Ivorian-Cameroonian descent. His mom, who has “all the time made a big effect”, was his first coach and now manages his profession.
Kouame started taking part in tennis aged six, impressed by his older brother, Michael, and educated on the Nationwide Tennis Centre in Poitiers. He’s now coached by former world no 7 and fellow countryman Richard Gasquet, with reviews suggesting that he added Laurent Raymond to his crew earlier this 12 months.
What’s his taking part in fashion?
The 6 toes 3 inches (1.91 metres) tall Frenchman has a powerful serve and forehand and enjoys taking part in on each floor, which aligns along with his nickname “KTT” – which interprets to “Kouame each floor”.
Was the French Open first spherical his largest profession win?
Sure, until he wins his second-round matchup at Roland Garros in opposition to Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo on Thursday.
The Frenchman has gained three ITF titles – the third tier {of professional} tennis – and obtained a number of wildcards on the principle circuit, together with on the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters and Miami Open, the place he defeated Zachary Svajda of the US to turn out to be the youngest match winner within the occasion’s historical past.
What did Kouame need to say about his historic victory?
“It’s lots of emotion, it’s distinctive,” Kouame stated. “Coming into this match, I didn’t actually know what to count on. The crew and I labored onerous to be as prepared as potential.”
{The teenager} cited his expertise in Miami and Monte-Carlo as serving to him in Tuesday’s win. “Technically, I felt fairly calm. I knew I used to be prepared and I felt good mentally and bodily.”
In a submit on Instagram, Kouame thanked all those that have been a part of his journey, including that the win on house soil made it much more particular.
The teenager additionally brushed apart the age issue in opposition to Cilic, who’s 20 years his senior. “I didn’t care about his age. I simply wished to present him pictures that have been as sophisticated to play as potential.
“So for some, the age issue could play a task, however so far as I’m involved, I attempted to focus, not to consider it, as a result of ultimately, if you’re on court docket, you don’t take into consideration your age or what you’re going to eat. You concentrate on what it’s a must to do to win.”
What’s subsequent for the 17-year-old?
Whereas Kouame could not have anticipated his second French Open singles match in opposition to Vallejo, he performed the lads’s doubles with Giovanni Mpetshi Perrica in opposition to US duo Robert Money and James Tracy, who defeated the Frenchmen 6-4 1-6 6-4.
Kouame and present French no 2 Elsa Jacquemot will pair up for the blended doubles in opposition to Christian Harrison of the US and Hungary’s Fanny Stollar.
