Seventeen-year-old Moïse Kouamé has expressed his ambition to break Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam record after achieving his first tour-level win at the ATP 250 in Lyon. Kouamé defeated Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(2), 6-4 in the first round. The young Frenchman, who reached the third round at Roland Garros earlier this spring, shared his goal with Univers Tennis.
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“My biggest dream is to have the Grand Slam record. The record is 24, so I’d need to have 25,” Kouamé stated. Tennis journalist Jose Moron offered a reality check, suggesting that aiming for such a high number without having yet won a Grand Slam could lead to pressure rather than motivation. “Just my opinion, but when you haven’t even won a single Grand Slam, you can’t think about having 25,” Moron wrote on X, advising Kouamé to focus on achieving one title at a time.
Kouamé seemed to acknowledge this perspective, saying, “I’m not going to win 25 Grand Slams while ranked 300th in the world, that’s obvious.” His aspirations come after a consistent performance in Lyon, where he saved all five break points he faced and secured his fourth tour-level win of the season. The victory places him among the youngest players to win at the tournament, joining the ranks of his coach Richard Gasquet and Roger Federer.
Kouamé's next challenge will be against Lorenzo Musetti, a top-10 player, and regardless of the outcome, he is set to rise to No. 176 in the world rankings. Earlier this year, he became the youngest player since Rafael Nadal to win a Masters 1000 match at the Miami Open. His accomplishment drew congratulations from Djokovic via social media, further solidifying Kouamé’s rising profile in the sport.
While his achievements are noteworthy, many are cautious, recognizing the challenges faced by young talents in professional tennis. Kouamé's recent win in Lyon marks a significant step after a quiet period on the tour, emphasizing that the road to achieving his ambitious goals will be demanding.