ABIDJAN/STARNBERG, April 28, 2025
What a spectacular finish to the ATP Challenger Tour series in Central Africa! Eliakim Coulibaly made history, becoming the first player from the Ivory Coast to win an ATP Challenger Tour tournament – and he did it at the inaugural edition of his home event in Abidjan.
In an all-African final at the Cote d’Ivoire Open, which was interrupted by rain, the 22-year-old left-hander battled past top-seeded Tunisian Aziz Dougaz 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4. Despite Dougaz firing down 12 aces, Coulibaly held his nerve, broke serve three times, and after two hours and 43 minutes of intense play, collapsed in pure joy on the packed Court Central Kaydan as the crowd erupted in celebration.
And the crowd goes wild
Eliakim Coulibaly comes from a set down to defeat Dougaz 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4 and lift the trophy in Abidjan!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/2jRKDwAGGq
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 27, 2025
“It’s moments like this that I work hard for. It’s just a reward, so I’m very happy,” said Coulibaly, who is currently ranked World No. 324.
Tournament director Arzel Mevellec was equally thrilled with the event’s success: “The spectators are crazy around the court, very enthusiastic with the competition, so that’s great. People like to attend something new, so that’s good. We are at the beginning of something special.”
After stops in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo and Kigali, Rwanda, Abidjan delivered a thrilling climax to this year’s Central African Challenger series – setting the stage for even greater things to come.
