Moise Kouame is only 17 years old, but he's already making a name for himself in the tennis world. The French ace started the year by winning back-to-back ITF titles. He then reached a Challenger semi-final, and has now earned his maiden win on the ATP Tour, at a Masters 1000 tournament no less.

The world No. 385 came from behind to beat Zachary Svajda 5-7 6-4 6-4 in a physical match, and was cramping by the end. The Court 7 clash got a lot of attention, as Kouame made his Masters 1000 debut as a wildcard, and even Novak Djokovic was watching.

The six-time former champion in Miami withdrew from the tournament, citing a shoulder injury. Since 2019, Djokovic has played this tournament just once, finishing runner-up last year. But he still kept tabs on Kouame's progress.

At 17 years and 13 days, the French wildcard became the youngest man to win a match at the Miami Open, the youngest since Rafael Nadal in 2003 to win a Masters 100 match, and the seventh-youngest match winner at this level overall. Afterwards, Kouame got a special message from his idol. Now, he doesn't know what to say.

Speaking to Steve Weissman on Tennis Channel after winning his first tour-level main-draw match, the teenager said: "Actually, I have a small secret. After the win, Novak texted me. I'm so nervous. I don't know what to answer! I'm really so nervous right now. I don't know if I'm going to answer. Maybe if you have tips, maybe you can give me?"

Kouame threw out some potential replies after asking Weissman for help, but still wasn't happy with them. "He texted me, I think, like, 'Big match today. Congrats. Hopefully you'll go far in the tournament'. Something like this," he added.

"But yeah... 'Thank you Novak'? No, 'Thank you my idol'? No I don't know! No, never [met him]. It's my dream. [It was] on Instagram! He texted me on Instagram, he DMed me. So, imagine having your idol DM you like this. Oh my god. This is too much for me. Oh my god. Coolest thing ever."

Weissman tried to help the starstruck 17-year-old out. He replied: "Don't just double tap it, you've got to give a response. 'Thanks so much, Novak. If you have any time to meet in the future, that would be amazing. Any tips you have, maybe some advice'."

Some tips from Djokovic would be welcomed by Kouame, who now has a tough challenge on his hands, as he faces 21st seed Jiri Lehecka tomorrow. The teenager started cramping at the end of his first-round match and needed physio treatment before he could leave the court. But he confirmed he was feeling fine during his appearance Tennis Channel, if a little nervous for one of his first live TV interviews.

"Now I'm feeling good, quite stressed! Obviously we're live, and my English, all this, I'm quite stressed. But in the match it was cool, I had some cramps, but yeah, I managed to get over it and win at the end. I'm really happy with it," he said.

"Mentally you just have to focus and go through it. At some points, you just don't have to think about it. Just serve, play, fight at the end, and see what will come at the end. I won, so I'm happy. But if it was 5-5, go again, fight again, and see at the end."

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