Kouame: ‘It Was Instant Love’

Eager fans taking in pre-tournament practice at the Monte-Carlo Country Club might have spotted a noteworthy pairing: 39-year-old Gael Monfils hitting with 17-year-old Moise Kouame.

The French wild cards are both crowd-pleasing showmen but are at very different stages of their careers: 2016 finalist Monfils is making his final appearance in the Principality; Kouame is making his first.

“It’s a dream come true [and gives me] the experience that I am trying to gain,” Kouame told ATP Media.

“My first training I couldn’t believe I was really here. I had to switch on because the match is coming really quickly. It’s great for me and I’m trying to enjoy it.”

The World No. 328 today plays countryman Ugo Humbert, with the winner to play Jannik Sinner.

Kouame won his maiden tour-level match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami earlier in March and broke ground at the ATP 250 event in Montpellier in February when he became the sixth-youngest man to qualify for an ATP Tour tournament since 2000.

Born in Paris, Moise was drawn to the sport after watching his brother Michael play, grabbing a racquet to hit against the wall. [Michael now plays college tennis.] The FFT spotted his talent early, setting him on his path and by the age of 12 or 13 he fully committed.

“It was instant love. I didn’t force it. At first it was just for fun but the turning point came when you ask yourself if this is something I want to do for the next 30 or 40 years and the answer was yes.

“But it has to stay fun. If it’s not, I will stop it. It’s now a profession, but it’s also fun.

“My idol was Novak Djokovic; I was really inspired by him, his mentality his game style. Rafael Nadal on clay was also an inspiration for me, how he runs, how he fights every time. Now I’m going to try to beat idols.”

After his three-set win over Zach Svajda in Miami, Kouame revealed to Tennis Channel that Djokovic had sent a message of congratulations. “I have a small secret… After the win, Novak texted me,” Kouame said. “I’m so nervous, I don’t know what to answer. He texted me something like, ‘Big match today. Congrats. Hopefully you will go far’.”

Kouame also said that his family members have been big inspirations, especially his mother, Suzanne, who served as his first coach and helped develop his big serve and forehand, pre-requisites for success in the modern game. She also told him to have fun while playing.

“My mom has also been one of the biggest inspirations in life for me,” he said. “She has been through difficult situations and now she’s here in Monte-Carlo with her son playing one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar. Also my brother, because he was the one who introduced me to tennis. My dad and my sister of course. My family is my support, my base.”