What Novak Djokovic told Moise Kouame after his ATP history-making moment
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images Moise Kouame did not just win a tennis match in Miami on Thursday, he announced himself as one of the sport’s most exciting prospects. Competing as a wild card, the 17-year-old Frenchman defeated Zachary Svajda 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in his first-ever Masters 1000 main draw appearance.
And it was not a straightforward win, but it was one built on resilience and composure under pressure. He became the youngest man to win a Masters 1000 match since Rafael Nadal, while also becoming the first player born in 2009 or later to claim an ATP Tour victory. Saving 10 of 12 break points and turning the match after trailing in the second set underlined a maturity far beyond his age.
Moise Kouame reveals message from idol Novak Djokovic Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images Kouame’s breakthrough moment quickly became even more surreal off the court. The French teenager revealed that Novak Djokovic, his childhood idol, reached out to him after the win. He told Steve Weissman (via The Tennis Letter): “I have a small secret.
After the win, Novak texted me. I’m so nervous. I don’t know what to answer.
I’m really so nervous right now. I don’t know if I’m going to answer. Maybe if you have tips you can give me?