“I don’t know what to answer”: Kouamé stunned by Novak Djokovic DM after first ATP win

Friday, 20 March 2026 at 19:30

Moise Kouamé’s breakthrough at the Miami Open extended beyond the court, as the 17-year-old revealed he received a message from Novak Djokovic shortly after securing his first ATP Tour win. The Frenchman defeated Zachary Svajda 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to mark a milestone in his first Masters 1000 main-draw appearance, underlining his emergence as one of the youngest players to make an immediate impact at this level.

The result placed Kouamé in rare territory. He became the first player born in 2009 or later to win an ATP Tour match and, at 17 years and 13 days, the youngest Miami Open match winner. Only Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet have recorded Masters 1000 victories at a younger age since the format’s introduction, placing Kouamé within a limited historical group.

Arriving in Miami outside the Top 300, the Frenchman had already shown steady progression through ITF events and an ATP debut earlier this season in Montpellier. His run in south Florida reflects a transition from developmental stages into higher-level competition, supported by both physical tools and composure in key moments.

Attention, however, quickly shifted to what followed. Kouamé, who has previously identified Djokovic as his idol, disclosed that the Serbian contacted him directly after the match via social media, adding a personal dimension to what was already a landmark result.

Djokovic message highlights Kouamé’s breakthrough

Kouamé admitted he was unsure how to respond after receiving the message, describing the moment as overwhelming given his long-standing admiration for Djokovic and the unexpected nature of the interaction. “After the win, Novak texted me. I’m so nervous. I don’t know what to answer. I really don’t know what I’m going to say.”

The message itself was brief, acknowledging his performance and encouraging him to continue progressing in the tournament. While limited in length, it carried significance for a player at the start of his ATP career. “He wrote something like: ‘Big match today, congrats, and hopefully you go far in the tournament.’ Something like that.”

Kouamé added that the contact came via Instagram and emphasised the impact of receiving a message from a player he has never met, describing the experience as difficult to process in the immediate aftermath of his win. “Imagine your idol messaging you like this… it’s too much for me.”

Composure under pressure signals potential

Beyond the off-court moment, Kouamé’s performance against Svajda offered a clearer indication of his competitive level. After dropping the opening set, he recovered to win in three sets, saving 10 of 12 break points and producing a decisive run of points after trailing 0/40 at 3-4 in the second set.

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During the closing stages, Kouamé dealt with cramps, requiring a mental adjustment to manage the physical strain. His ability to maintain focus under those conditions proved central to closing out the match after two hours and 17 minutes. “Mentally, you just have to focus and go through it. At some point, you don’t think about it anymore—you just serve, play, fight until the end.”

Despite the scale of the achievement, Kouamé maintained a measured perspective, stressing the importance of continued work and consistency as he looks to establish himself on the ATP Tour. “A lot of work. Honestly, a lot of work. Daily work. Even with tough losses, you have to come back the next day and keep working again and again.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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