ATP Tour

Kouame, 17, follows in Federer's footsteps & joins Sinner, Alcaraz in Challenger history

Moise Kouame made ATP Challenger history Sunday in the same city where Roger Federer won his first and only trophy at that level in 1999.

It was an emotional, milestone day for the #NextGenATP 17-year-old, who rallied past American Martin Damm 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(4) in the Brest Open Groupe Vert final to become the eighth-youngest first-time Challenger champion since 2010.

Among the players ahead of Kouame on the list of youngest first-time Challenger champions since 2010 are Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the top three players in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“So many emotions,” Kouame wrote in French in an Instagram post. “Winning my first Challenger title is just something special. Being able to have this moment with my audience, feeling your support at every game, and hearing you push me to the end has made this week unforgettable. You have given me incredible energy and helped me to pursue this win.

“How lucky I am to be able to experience moments like these, and even more to share them with you. That first Challenger victory will be etched in me for a long time.”

Kouame is the youngest Frenchman to win a Challenger trophy since a 17-year-old Richard Gasquet in 2003. Fittingly, Gasquet was in Kouame’s coaches’ box in Brest, and shared a warm embrace with his young charge after the final. Gasquet and former World No. 6 Fabrice Santoro are the only Frenchmen to win at ATP Challenger level at a younger age.

_{^{Moise Kouame wins the 2026 Brest Challenger. Credit: Antoine Periou/Brest Open Groupe Vert}}

Following his triumph, Kouame jumped five places to fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Reggio Calabria. He is aiming for his first trip to the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals.

Kouame is up 46 spots to No. 130 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, securing his entry to the Top 150 for the first time Monday.

Did You Know?
Federer was an 18-year-old ranked No. 66 in the PIF ATP Rankings when he won in Brest in 1999.