Kouame breaks 17-year Grand Slam record at French Open
At 17 years and two months, Moise Kouame becomes the youngest male to win a major main-draw match since Bernard Tomic in 2009, advancing to the second round at Roland Garros.
French teenager Moise Kouame has made history at the French Open, defeating former US Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets to become the youngest male player to win a Grand Slam main-draw match in 17 years. The 17-year-old, who was handed a wildcard entry by organisers, secured a 7-6(4) 6-2 6-1 victory against the 46th-ranked Cilic on Court Simonne Mathieu.
Kouame, currently ranked 318th in the world, did not concede a single break of serve during the contest. He saved two set points in the opening set tiebreak before taking control of the match, utilising speed in defence and deft drop shots to draw applause from the home crowd. The victory marks only the second main-tour win of his career, following his first success at the Miami Masters in March.
The win breaks a record previously held by Australia’s Bernard Tomic, who reached the second round of the 2009 Australian Open at the age of 16. Kouame is also the youngest player to advance past the first round at Roland Garros since Romania’s Dinu Pescariu achieved the feat in 1991 at 17 years and one month old.
Coached by former French player Richard Gasquet, Kouame credited his recent experience on the main circuit for his composure. He noted that wildcards at the Miami and Monte-Carlo Masters, along with three ITF titles this season, helped prepare him for the pressure of his Grand Slam debut.
“I always try to stay in the present moment and not think too much about the score,” Kouame said. “The team and I worked hard to be as ready as possible. All the experience I gained in Miami and Monte-Carlo probably helped me a little.”
Kouame will advance to the second round to face Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo. Vallejo progressed to this stage after 20th seed Cameron Norrie retired from his match due to injury.
The French Open remains one of the four annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments, representing the highest level of competition in the sport. Kouame’s performance signals a significant emergence for French tennis, with the teenager describing the victory as “exceptional” and filled with emotion.
