ROLAND GARROS

May 22, 2026

Moise Kouame

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Congratulations to your first French Open. I wonder, being so young here, having the privilege to be here at a young age, how do you feel about this? Do you feel it is a privilege and feel free because you have nothing to lose, or do you feel a bit pressure because you are such a prodigy for French tennis? Also, at this young age, what do you think, where do you lack a bit compared to all the players?

MOISE KOUAME: Well, for sure it is a privilege for me being here that young. I want to say it's an opportunity not everyone gets to have, so I'm really grateful to the Federation for giving me this amazing opportunity.

I'm going to try to enjoy it as much as possible, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. Can you speak to us about your preparation as part of the tournament? How have you gone about it in the past few weeks? How did you go about it with Richard and Yoann, I believe, who has been working with you?

MOISE KOUAME: Well, first of all, I was at a tournament last week, so that's it, I guess. We've been working on many things. We've been trying to make sure that this week would not be a week that would be any more important or stressful than any other tournament week, but technically, mentally, physically, we've worked on many things, whether it be with Richard, Yoann, or my physical coach.

We had tests on Tuesday and on Monday to -- we'll have tests on Tuesday and on Monday to make sure that everything is in line. If it's not the case, we'll make sure to make the necessary adjustments.

Q. You may be looking to play a five-set match, so have you worked on this as part of your prep? How do you project yourself? Because that would be a peculiar fight, wouldn't it?

MOISE KOUAME: Yes, playing a five-set game is something that I've only witnessed on TV so far. So actually experiencing it and training for it, those are two different things, I would say.

That's a scenario that I have worked on when I was training in order to make sure that I would be as ready as possible should it happen during an actual match. If it's the case, I would say, well, what will happen to me physically speaking, I'm not sure, but I'm training hard to get ready for that kind of a moment. If it so happens, then so it will, and I'll try to fight as best as I can with the weapons that I have.

Q. For anyone that may not know you, and there are a few of them, how would you define yourself as a tennis player in terms of your strengths and your weaknesses? You may have already met people that have already started to recognize you on the street, right?

MOISE KOUAME: Well, tennistically speaking, I would say I have many weapons, whether it be in terms of my serve, my backhand, my forehand. That's a strength in a way for me.

But, yes, clearly I need to keep on improving my strengths and working on them. I'm not perfect. Far from it. But that is why training is important, and I am training, and that's it.

I mean, if you're saying that I'm still incognito for the moment, then so be it, I guess. I'm not exactly sure whether I'm well known, but I am hoping that the public will give me all of the possible strength during matches. Whether people recognize me or not, it doesn't really matter. I need to stay focused on the results.

Q. Is it easy for you to truly enjoy that first Roland Garros for you? Because this will be a first for you. At the same time, you want to win. You want to win that first match. There are many expectations. So is there any way for you to actually enjoy that first edition for you, or is it a little too challenging?

MOISE KOUAME: Well, for sure, this isn't easy. As I said earlier, when you're on the court, you want to do your best. You're so focused on what's happening to you that you are not necessarily realizing how lucky you are to play such a major tournament so early.

So, most certainly, I'll need to remain focused on myself, because I want to win that match, but perhaps I can also kind of let go and take a little hindsight on what I am doing in order to smile, be playful, and enjoy what I am doing on the court. I'm in this sport because I want to enjoy myself. I want to enjoy running and giving my best.

So if I don't enjoy Roland, what would I enjoy in life, generally speaking? Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy.