The 6ft 8 Tennis Giant Who Shook Wimbledon With a 151mph Serve
Let me tell you about one of the most exciting tennis stories of the past year — the rise of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Now if you haven’t heard his name yet, trust me, you’re going to. This towering 6ft 8” Frenchman burst onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2024 in a way that no one saw coming — not even him.
Picture this: he had already lost in the final round of qualifying. His Wimbledon dream should have been over before it even began. But then, fate intervened. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina pulled out of the main draw, and Giovanni got a second chance as a “lucky loser.” And boy, did he make the most of it.
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In his very first match, he unleashed 51 aces — yes, 51 — and took down the 20th seed Sebastian Korda in a marathon battle. A match that started before noon and stretched into the late afternoon. It was an unforgettable debut — not just for Giovanni, but for every fan watching.
His serve? Absolutely monstrous. At one point during the season, he clocked a mind-blowing 151mph serve. That’s not just fast — that’s rocket-launcher territory. His powerful presence at the net, thanks to his size, made him a nightmare opponent on grass. But it wasn’t just about power. Giovanni adapted to the surface with a smart, aggressive style. He wasn’t just swinging big — he was playing smart, positioning himself well, and making life difficult for anyone trying to pass him.
What followed was a rise that nobody could ignore. He won titles in Lyon and Basel, made it to the second week at Wimbledon, and was even voted the ATP’s Most Improved Player of the Year. At just 21 years old, he broke into the top 40 and now returns to SW19 not as a lucky loser, but as a serious contender.
When he talks about Wimbledon, there’s a clear emotional connection. He called it his second home — a place where the crowd instantly embraced him, where he felt the energy and the love, and where he proved to himself that he belonged on the big stage.
He admits he’s not Carlos Alcaraz — not yet — but he’s clear about one thing: he’s a threat on grass. He’s confident, not cocky. He knows what it took to get there, and he knows what it’ll take to stay. “I know that I can do second week,” he said, with quiet certainty. That’s the mentality of someone who’s ready to keep climbing.
So keep an eye on this giant with the rocket serve and humble mindset. Wimbledon 2024 was his coming-out party — and 2025 might just be the year he turns dreams into dominance.
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