What is it?

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is a French professional tennis player born on 8 July 2003 in Lyon. He is known for his exceptionally powerful serve, which has made him one of the most formidable servers on the ATP Tour. As of February 2025, he achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 29.

Mpetshi Perricard turned professional in 2021 after a successful junior career, which included winning the boys' doubles title at the 2021 French Open with compatriot Arthur Fils. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning his first ATP Challenger title in 2023 and his first ATP Tour title in 2024.

His playing style revolves around his serve, which averages 135 mph on first serves and 123 mph on second serves. At the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, he broke the tournament record with a 153 mph serve and set the record for the fastest second serve ever at 147 mph.

Mpetshi Perricard represents France in the Davis Cup and has become a key figure in French tennis. His rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to other big servers in tennis history, and he continues to develop his all-around game.

Off the court, he comes from a sports-oriented family: his father was a semi-professional footballer, and his mother was a volleyball player. This athletic background has contributed to his physical prowess and competitive mindset.

Key Facts

Born: 8 July 2003 in Lyon, France.
Career-high singles ranking: No. 29 (24 February 2025).
Career-high doubles ranking: No. 204 (14 July 2025).
Won his first ATP Tour title at the 2024 Lyon Open as a wildcard.
Won his first ATP 500 title at the 2024 Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Set the Wimbledon record for fastest serve: 153 mph (246 km/h) in 2025.
Set the record for fastest second serve: 147 mph (237 km/h) at Wimbledon 2025.
Became the first lucky loser to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since 1995.
Won the boys' doubles title at the 2021 French Open with Arthur Fils.
Reached a junior combined ranking of world No. 4 in July 2021.
Has won two ATP Tour singles titles as of 2025.
Represents France in the Davis Cup.

Full Explanation

Playing Style and Strengths

Mpetshi Perricard's game is built around his serve, which is widely regarded as one of the most powerful in professional tennis. His average first serve speed of 135 mph and second serve speed of 123 mph allow him to dominate service games and put pressure on opponents. Despite not having an exceptionally high ball toss, he generates tremendous power through his height (6 ft 8 in / 2.03 m) and athleticism.

His serve is not just fast but also well-placed, often targeting the corners to set up easy volleys or groundstroke winners. However, his game is still developing; his return of serve and movement can be inconsistent, which top players sometimes exploit. He compensates with a strong forehand and improving net play.

Career Progression

Mpetshi Perricard's professional career began in earnest in 2023 when he won his first ATP Challenger title at the León Open. He made his Grand Slam debut at the 2023 French Open as a wildcard but lost in the first round. Later that year, he reached his first ATP quarterfinal in Antwerp, breaking into the top 200.

In 2024, he won back-to-back Challenger titles in Mexico and then captured his first ATP Tour title at the Lyon Open as a wildcard, becoming the lowest-ranked champion in the tournament's history. He followed this with a strong grass-court season, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon as a lucky loser—the first to do so since 1995. He ended the year by winning the ATP 500 in Basel, defeating Ben Shelton in the final, and broke into the top 30.

2025 and Beyond

In 2025, Mpetshi Perricard continued to make headlines. He reached the semifinals in Brisbane and won his first match at the French Open. At Wimbledon, he pushed world No. 5 Taylor Fritz to five sets and set serve records. He later achieved his first top-10 win by defeating Fritz at the Shanghai Masters, where he reached the quarterfinals. He also defeated Lorenzo Musetti (another top-10 player) at the European Open.

However, 2026 brought challenges. After a strong start with quarterfinal appearances in Brisbane and Auckland, he suffered a series of first-round exits, including at the Australian Open. He parted ways with his long-time coach Emmanuel Planque and briefly worked with Francisco Roig, who left for a better offer. Injuries and inconsistent form led to a ranking drop, forcing him to play qualifying for some events. He returned to action in Rome but lost early, and at Roland Garros, he fell to Novak Djokovic in the first round.

History

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was born in Lyon to Ghislain Mpetshi-Kalongo, a former semi-professional footballer who emigrated from Congo in the 1990s, and Sylvie Perricard, a former volleyball player. He started tennis lessons in early childhood and quickly showed promise.

As a junior, he excelled on the ITF circuit, reaching a combined ranking of world No. 4. His biggest junior achievement came at the 2021 French Open, where he won the boys' doubles title with Arthur Fils and reached the semifinals in singles. This success paved the way for his professional career.

He turned professional in 2021 and spent the next two years building his game on the Challenger tour. His breakthrough came in 2023 with his first Challenger title and ATP quarterfinal. In 2024, he exploded onto the ATP Tour, winning two titles and climbing into the top 30.

By 2025, he had established himself as a top-30 player and a threat on fast surfaces. His serve records at Wimbledon cemented his reputation as one of the game's biggest servers. However, the 2026 season highlighted the volatility of his game, as he struggled with consistency and injuries.

Despite these setbacks, Mpetshi Perricard remains a promising talent with a unique weapon. His ability to dominate with his serve gives him a chance in any match, and his youth suggests room for improvement in other areas.

Why it matters

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard represents a new generation of powerful servers in tennis, reminiscent of players like John Isner and Ivo Karlovic. His serve records at Wimbledon have brought attention to the evolving nature of the sport, where power and athleticism are increasingly important.

His rapid rise from Challenger titles to ATP 500 champion in just over a year demonstrates the potential for young players to break through with a dominant weapon. His success also highlights the depth of French tennis, which continues to produce top talent.

For fans, Mpetshi Perricard's matches are often thrilling due to his serve-and-volley style and ability to produce aces under pressure. His journey from lucky loser to fourth-round at Wimbledon is an inspiring story of perseverance.

As he continues to develop his all-around game, Mpetshi Perricard could become a consistent contender at Grand Slams and a fixture in the top 20. His career will be closely watched as a test of whether a serve-dominant game can succeed in the modern era.