The opening day at Wimbledon had no shortage of drama, but it was Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard who stole the spotlight, smashing a 14-year-old serve speed record with a jaw-dropping 153 mph rocket.
Under the closed roof of Court 1, the 6ft 8in Frenchman lit up the evening against Taylor Fritz, sending shockwaves through the All England Club. Mpetshi Perricard shattered Taylor Dent’s 2010 record of 148 mph with a trio of monster serves, clocking in at 151 mph, 153 mph, and an outrageous 147 mph second serve that stunned Fritz and the crowd alike.
The 20-year-old entered Wimbledon ranked world No. 36, fresh off confidence-boosting wins at the Boss Open and Eastbourne. His performance Monday night proved he’s more than just a big server, he took the first two sets in tense tiebreaks before Fritz clawed back the third set, making it 7-6(6), 7-6(8), 4-6.
Perricard’s Rising Star and Wimbledon Memories
This isn’t Perricard’s first electric Wimbledon moment. Last year, he made headlines with 51 aces against No. 20 seed Sebastian Korda, a breakthrough performance that propelled him to the fourth round. Speaking to Express Sport before the tournament, Perricard reflected on that pivotal run.
“It was one of the best tournaments last year for me,” he said. “I was grateful to be there… It helped me a lot for the next couple months.”
Perricard also recalled the marathon match against Korda, delayed by rain but unforgettable in its intensity. “We started at 11am and finished at 5pm. It was good to beat a top player like him, especially on grass.”
With his historic serve and growing confidence on the grass, Perricard isn’t just making noise, he’s building a legacy.
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