16-year-old Moise Kouame becomes sixth youngest qualifier on ATP Tour this century | ATP Tour
montpellier
16-year-old Kuame becomes the sixth youngest qualifier on the ATP Tour this century
The Frenchman advances to the main draw in Montpellier on Monday
February 2, 2026
Presse Sports / Jean-Baptiste Otissier
Moise Kouame, 16, competes in Montpellier on Monday.
Written by ATP Staff
Frenchman Moise Kouame became the sixth and youngest player to qualify for an ATP Tour event since 2000, defeating compatriot Clement Chidehe 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-3 at the Montpellier Occitanie Open on Monday.
The 16-year-old and 10-month-old wildcard player defeated Elias Immel in the first qualifying round and will now make his main draw debut against eighth seed and last year’s finalist Alexander Kovacevic. Kouame won two ITF World Tennis Tour titles last month.
Youngest male player to qualify for ATP Tour since 2000
| player | event | age |
| Richard Gasquet | Monte Carlo, 2002 | 15 years and 9 months |
| Ryan Harrison | Houston, 2008 | 15 years and 11 months |
| Richard Gasquet | Adelaide, 2003 | 16 years and 6 months |
| Rudolf Molek | Hamburg, 2017 | 16 years and 8 months |
| Rafael Nadal | Monte Carlo, 2003 | 16 years and 10 months |
| Moise Kouame | Montpellier, 2026 | 16 years and 10 months |
In the main match on the first day, Adrian Mannarino defeated Pedro Martinez 7-6(3), 6-1. According to Infosys ATP statistics, Mannarino hit 14 aces and saved two break points he faced. Mannarino has now won at least one ATP Tour event in 18 different seasons.
