When Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard stepped onto the court for his match against Frances Tiafoe in Brisbane, little did anyone anticipate the seismic shift that was about to occur. The crowd at Pat Rafter Arena gasped as Perricard’s opening serve clocked an astounding 232kph (144mph), setting the tone for a thrilling and unprecedented display of tennis prowess. This moment marked the beginning of what would become one of the most talked-about developments in professional tennis.

Witness the Power Unleashed: A New Era in Tennis

The Meteoric Rise of a Young Star

Just over a year ago, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was virtually unknown outside ATP Challenger circles. Ranked outside the top 100 at the start of 2024, the 21-year-old Frenchman quickly ascended the rankings with remarkable ease. His breakthrough came when he clinched his first ATP title in Lyon, followed by an impressive fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon as a lucky loser. By year-end, Perricard added another feather to his cap by winning his first ATP 500 title in Basel. His rapid rise has been nothing short of spectacular, making him a formidable opponent that no player wants to face.The key to Perricard’s success lies in his unparalleled serve. Standing at an imposing 6ft 8in, his towering frame provides a perfect platform for generating immense power. However, it is his fluid, efficient service motion that sets him apart. Under intense pressure, Perricard remains composed, consistently hitting precise spots on the court. During his match against Jakub Mensik, his average first serve speed reached a staggering 136mph, leaving opponents scrambling to even make contact with the ball.

A Serve That Defines a Generation

Perricard’s serve has not always been his strongest asset. In his youth, he lacked the physical strength to generate significant pace. Coaches focused on developing other aspects of his game until they realized the potential of his serve. From ages 15 to 16, Perricard underwent extensive technical training, practicing serves from baskets during drills. This dedication paid off, transforming his serve into a lethal weapon. Last year, he averaged an astounding 19 aces per match, far surpassing any other player on tour.What truly distinguishes Perricard from other great servers is his second serve. Many big servers compromise speed or spin to ensure consistency, but Perricard does not. Against Mensik, his average second serve speed was 128mph, just 8mph slower than his first serve. This ballistic second serve is faster than most players’ first serves, yet he maintains exceptional accuracy. Despite playing as if he has two first serves, Perricard missed only 5.5 second serves per match last year. As he enters his first full season on the ATP Tour, further improvements seem inevitable.

Reviving the Art of Serving

In recent years, the prominence of powerful servers in men’s tennis has waned. Legends like John Isner, Ivo Karlovic, and Kevin Anderson have retired, while Nick Kyrgios and Reilly Opelka endured long injury layoffs. However, Perricard’s emergence has rekindled interest in serving prowess. The same week Kyrgios returned after a two-year hiatus, Opelka made a triumphant comeback by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets. On Saturday, Perricard and Opelka will clash in Brisbane, promising a spectacle filled with aces.The impact of these extraordinary servers extends beyond individual matches. Matches like Isner’s epic battle with Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 and Anderson’s marathon win over Isner in 2018 influenced grand slam tournaments to shorten their formats. Perricard’s dominance signals a new era in tennis, where serving excellence once again takes center stage. As he continues to refine his already formidable serve, fans can expect more breathtaking performances from this young star.