Kouame Wins Roland Garros Marathon, Plunges Head into On-Court Cooler!

At just 17 years old, Moise Kouame has secured a significant prize money payout at Roland Garros, but French law prevents him from accessing the full amount until he reaches adulthood. The young tennis player, a protégé of Richard Gasquet, has seen his bank account swell, but the management of his earnings is subject to strict regulations.

Qualifying for the third round of Roland-Garros 2026, after an epic victory over Paraguay's Adolfo Vallejo in a fifth-set super tie-break, guaranteed Kouame at least 187,000 euros. This sum surpasses his total career earnings to date, which stood at $175,637 (approximately 151,181 euros), combining both singles and doubles.

However, this was the least of his worries after his triumph on the Parisian clay. Immediately after the match, the French tennis player rushed to the massive on-court cooler and, quite literally, plunged his head inside. He likely didn't fully enter, perhaps out of embarrassment, given the visible desperation caused by the intense heat that has plagued the Parisian Slam.

Due to his age, however, the tennis player will not have free access to this sum. French legislation regarding the remuneration of minors, whether in sports, arts, or video games, is quite stringent. A portion of the earnings is mandatorily deposited into a blocked account, managed by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, which the athlete will only be able to access upon turning 18 on March 6, 2027. No withdrawals are permitted from this account.

The remaining portion of the prize money is available to Moïse Kouame and his family structure to cover career-related expenses. His parents have the right to administer these funds, using them to pay for costs such as travel, accommodation, and the technical team's remuneration. It's important to note that the money is always paid in the name of the minor player and never to third parties.

There is, however, one exception to this rule: emancipation. If a minor is legally emancipated, they are considered an adult for all intents and purposes and can manage their income autonomously.

Beyond family support, the young Sarcelles native is already represented by a sports marketing giant, IMG Tennis. This agency, which manages Carlos Alcaraz's career and has previously worked with names like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Aryna Sabalenka, and Maria Sharapova, was instrumental in Kouame receiving a wild card for the Miami Masters 1000, a tournament owned by IMG.