Montpellier, France, 2026-01-28 18:52:00 – The open Sud de France tournament in Montpellier has awarded wild card entries to two rising French tennis players, Arthur Géa and Moïse Kouamé, recognizing their recent success on the court.
The Open Sud de France will feature two promising French players after granting wild card entries to Arthur Géa and Moïse Kouamé.
- Arthur Géa, 21, will compete in the main draw after a strong showing at the Australian Open.
- Moïse Kouamé, 14, considered a top prospect in French tennis, will participate in the qualifying rounds.
- The tournament begins Monday and takes place during the same week as the Davis Cup qualifiers.
The Open Sud de France, an ATP 250 tournament, will return to Europe this Monday after a month of play in Oceania and Hong Kong. Organizers announced Tuesday that Arthur Géa and Moïse Kouamé were selected to receive wild card entries, recognizing their performances earlier in January.
A Third ATP Tournament for Géa
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Arthur Géa has quickly gained attention after winning the Nouméa Challenger and then successfully navigating three qualifying matches at the Australian Open, earning him a spot in his first Grand Slam tournament, where he was ranked 198th in the world. At the Australian Open, Géa upset the No. 17 seed Jiri Lehecka before falling in a super tie-break to Stan Wawrinka. This performance is expected to improve his world ranking to 167th next Monday, according to tournament officials.
The Montpellier tournament will mark Géa’s third appearance in an ATP event, following his participation in Marseille last year (where he was eliminated in the first round after qualifying) and the Australian Open. He will have the chance to play in front of a French audience and build on his recent momentum.
Will Kouamé Continue His Ascent?
Moïse Kouamé, born in March 2009, has been granted a wild card to compete in the qualifying rounds.Currently ranked around 550th in the world, Kouamé recently won two ITF tournaments in Hazebrouck and Bressuire. He is viewed as one of the most promising young talents in French tennis.
Kouamé is mentored by Richard Gasquet,a member of the French Tennis Federation’s (“FFT”) “expert cell.” This will be his second time competing in the qualifications of an ATP tournament,having previously participated in Madrid last year. Tournament organizers noted that the French public will have a chance to see the young player,but cautioned against overreacting to any early success,as he is still early in his development.
Why It Matters
The awarding of these wild cards highlights a strategic investment in the future of French tennis. Géa’s rapid rise and Kouamé’s potential demonstrate the strength of the emerging talent within France. The Open Sud de France’s decision to prioritize these players provides them with valuable opportunities to gain experience and exposure on the ATP Tour, perhaps accelerating their development and contributing to the long-term success of French tennis. The tournament’s willingness to showcase these players also underscores its commitment to fostering the next generation of stars, even as it navigates the challenges of compet
