French teenager Moïse Kouamé made an emphatic start to his Miami Open campaign, upsetting higher-ranked Zachary Svajda in the opening round. The 17-year-old’s breakthrough win was made even more memorable when he received a congratulatory message from his idol, former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, later opening up about what the moment meant to him.
Moïse Kouamé Was Too Nervous To Reply to Novak Djokovic After Miami Open Win
Kouamé announced himself on the big stage at the Miami Open, becoming the first player born in 2009 or later to register an ATP Tour win. The French teenager received a wild card in his first Masters 1000 main-draw match and put his best foot forward to eventually clinch a triumph.
Kouamé dropped the opening set 5-7, handing early control to home favorite Zachary Svajda. The 17-year-old was still under pressure in the second, trailing 3-4, but responded at the right time, winning 14 of the next 16 points to take the set 6-4 and force a decider.
Kouamé carried that momentum into the decider and held firm to seal it 6-4, closing out the match in 2 hours and 17 minutes. His resilience under pressure proved crucial, as the teenager saved 10 of the 12 break points he faced.
With the win, the world No. 385 etched his name into the record books as the youngest match winner in Miami Open history and the youngest player to claim a Masters 1000 victory since 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal in Hamburg in 2003.
Apart from the series of milestones, Kouamé’s breakthrough win on Thursday was made even more special when Djokovic sent him a message after the match. Speaking to Tennis Channel’s Steve Weissman, the teenager admitted he is yet to respond, revealing he was too nervous and unsure of what to say. He even asked Weissman for advice on how to reply.
“Actually, I have a small secret. After the win, Novak texted me. I am so nervous, I don’t know what to answer. If you have tips maybe you can give me or something but,” he said.
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When asked what Djokovic texted him, Kouamé replied: “He texted me I think, ‘Big match today. Congrats! And hopefully you will go far in the tournament.’ Something like this. Thank you my idol. I don’t know, oh my god!” he added.
Weissman later asked the teenager if he had ever met Djokovic, to which he replied: “No, never. Imagine having your idol DM you like this? Oh my god! Coolest thing ever.”
Steve Weissman offered advice to the 17-year-old, urging him to avoid a simple emoji or quick reaction and instead send a thoughtful reply, such as thanking Djokovic, asking to meet in the future, or even seeking guidance. Kouamé subsequently agreed with the suggestion.
Kouamé will now look to build on his momentum and make a deeper run in the tournament, with his next test coming against 21st seed Jiří Lehečka, who holds an 87% chance of advancing, according to PFSN’s Tennis Simulator.
