French Tennis Hopes for Revival
France is looking to regain its prominence in the ATP circuit, and two young players are leading the charge: Arthur Fils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Perricard, a 2.03-meter tall giant, made a name for himself at 21 with titles in Lyon and Basel last season.
A Strong Start to 2025
Perricard has started the year on a high note, reaching the quarterfinals of the Brisbane Open 250 after defeating fourth seed Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6(4) on Thursday.
A Gift for Serving
Perricard’s serve is one of his greatest strengths. In just two games, he has accumulated an impressive 56 aces: 36 against Nick Kyrgios and 20 against Tiafoe. This is not surprising, given that he finished the 2024 season with 552 aces. His personal best is 51 aces in a single match, achieved at Wimbledon against Sebastian Korda. Perricard’s serve has also reached a top speed of 244.6 kilometers per hour in doubles at Roland Garros, making him one of the hardest servers in tennis history.
Fastest Serves in Tennis History
- Sam Groth: 263.4 kilometers per hour
- Alvaro Olivetti: 257.5 kilometers per hour
- John Isner: 253 kilometers per hour
- Ivo Karlovic: 251 kilometers per hour
- Jerzy Janowicz: 251 kilometers per hour
- Milos Raonic: 249.9 kilometers per hour
- Andy Roddick: 249.4 kilometers per hour
- Chris Guccione: 248 kilometers per hour
- Joachim Johansson: 244.6 kilometers per hour
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: 244.6 kilometers per hour
A Dominant Performance in Basel
In Basel, Perricard won his second professional title, connecting 109 aces in five games without conceding a single break. This impressive performance has set him up for success in the Australian Open, where he is guaranteed a spot among the top 32 seeds.
Next Challenge in Brisbane
Perricard’s next challenge is against Jakub Mensik, who defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-2. A win in this match would secure Perricard’s place in the semifinals of the Brisbane Open 250.