Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a 21-year-old French tennis player, is rapidly making a name for himself in the world of professional tennis, largely due to his thunderous serving. His powerful serve has become one of the most destructive weapons in the sport, drawing attention from fans and players alike. At a recent match in Brisbane, his first serve reached an astounding 144 mph (232 km/h), setting the tone for a dominant performance against Frances Tiafoe, where he hit 20 aces and secured a straight-sets victory.
Mpetshi Perricard’s rise to prominence has been swift. A year ago, he was largely unknown outside the ATP Challenger Tour, but by the end of 2024, he had broken into the ATP top 100, winning his first ATP title in Lyon and making it to the fourth round of Wimbledon as a lucky loser. His success continued into the end of the year, with a win at the ATP 500 event in Basel. His serve, which has become the cornerstone of his game, has been key to his rapid ascent.
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, Mpetshi Perricard possesses a natural advantage in terms of reach and power, but it is his efficient and dynamic service motion that sets him apart. His serve is not just fast but also precise and consistent, allowing him to hit his spots even under pressure. In his match against Jakub Mensik, his first serve averaged an incredible 136 mph, and his second serve was almost as fast, averaging 128 mph. This level of speed on both first and second serves is rare in professional tennis, where most players have to sacrifice either speed or consistency on their second serve.
Mpetshi Perricard’s serving prowess is the result of years of focused development. As a teenager, he was not initially known for his serve, but after dedicating himself to technical sessions and serving drills from the age of 15, he gradually transformed it into a formidable weapon. His coaches encouraged him to push his limits, and now, he regularly hits second serves that are faster than many players’ first serves. This year, he aims to continue improving his serve, with the goal of reaching speeds of up to 138 mph (220 km/h) in the future.
The current era of men’s tennis has seen the rise of powerful servers, with players like John Isner, Ivo Karlovic, and Kevin Anderson dominating the scene in the past. However, many of these big servers have either retired or struggled with injuries, leading to a decline in their presence on the tour. Mpetshi Perricard, along with players like Reilly Opelka, has sparked a resurgence in big serving, prompting discussions about the return of the “serve-bot” era in tennis. This revival has been evident in recent tournaments, with Mpetshi Perricard and Opelka both making headlines in the first week of 2025.
As Mpetshi Perricard continues to develop his game, he is poised to be one of the most dangerous players on the ATP Tour, with his serve as the centerpiece of his rise. The next few years will likely see him challenge for even greater titles, and if his progress continues, he could become one of the sport’s leading figures in the coming years.
