Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is an emerging French tennis talent making waves on the ATP Tour. Known for his height and really powerful serve, he has quickly become a player to watch. Let’s check out his full profile and answer the question, what racquet does Mpetshi Perricard us?
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s Tennis Racquet
Metshi Perricard’s racquet is a Babolat Pure Drive 2021, but there can obviously be another racquet underneath the cosmetic, which is the case with many pro-player racquets. However, since Perricard is only 21 years old, it is possible he is actually using this generation of Pure Drive. His racquets are strung with Babolat RPM Blast 1.30, not sure with the tension, but this is also likely to change depending on the conditions.
More on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Interestingly, Giovanni made his 2024 Wimbledon run after entering the tournament as a “lucky loser,” having initially lost in the final round of qualifying. He went on to stun top players, including firing 51 aces to defeat Sebastian Korda in a five-set thriller.
Biography
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was born on July 8, 2003, in Lyon, France. His interest in tennis developed at a young age, influenced by his family, particularly his father, Ghislain Mpetshi, a former semi-professional soccer player, and his sister Daphnée, who also plays tennis. This athletic background helped shape Giovanni’s early passion for the sport.
Giovanni’s junior career was marked by several notable achievements, showcasing his early potential. One of the highlights was his victory in the boys’ doubles at the 2021 French Open, which established him as a rising star in tennis. His success in junior tournaments earned him high rankings in the ITF junior circuit, setting the stage for his transition to the professional tour.
Professional Career Overview
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard turned professional in 2021 at 18, motivated by his strong junior career, including a French Open boys’ doubles title. His readiness to compete at the professional level was clear.
The Frenchman’s career milestones include winning his first ATP title at the Lyon Open in May 2024, a notable victory on clay, which is less suited to his power game. His standout moment came at Wimbledon 2024, where, as a “lucky loser,” he made a surprise run to the fourth round, highlighted by a thrilling five-set win over Sebastian Korda, firing 51 aces. These achievements have rapidly elevated his status as a rising star with a powerful and aggressive playing style.
Current Ranking
As of August 25, 2024, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is ranked 50th in the ATP rankings, with 1062 points.
Notable Statistics
As of August 2024, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has played a total of 20 professional matches in his career, including both singles and doubles. This includes his performances across various surfaces and tournaments since he turned professional.
Serve Statistics
| Category | Statistic |
| Aces | 343 |
| Double Faults | 105 |
| 1st Serve Success Rate | 66% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 77% |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 51% |
| Break Points Faced | 133 |
| Break Points Saved | 68% |
| Service Games Played | 300 |
| Service Games Won | 86% |
| Total Service Points Won | 68% |
Return Statistics
| Category | Statistic |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won | 25% |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won | 41% |
| Break Point Opportunities | 91 |
| Break Points Converted | 41% |
| Return Games Played | 290 |
| Return Games Won | 13% |
| Total Return Points Won | 31% |
Performance on Surfaces
Singles Matches
| Surface | Total Matches Played | Matches Won |
| Hard Courts | 5 | 3 |
| Clay Courts | 6 | 4 |
| Grass Courts | 9 | 4 |
Doubles Matches
| Surface | Total Matches Played | Matches Won |
| Hard Courts | 2 | 1 |
| Clay Courts | 2 | 1 |
| Grass Courts | 3 | 1 |
Player Details
Playing Style
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is an aggressive player, with a powerful serve and strong baseline game. He excels on fast surfaces like grass and hard courts but has also proven adaptable on clay, winning his first ATP title on this slower surface.
Coaching and Team
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s coach, Emmanuel Planque, has been a key figure in his development since joining his team in 2022. Planque is a highly respected French coach with a history of guiding young players to success. He previously worked with Lucas Pouille, helping him reach the top 10 in the ATP rankings.
Planque joined Giovanni at a crucial stage in his career, just as he was transitioning from the junior circuit to the professional ranks. Under Planque’s guidance, Giovanni has refined his game, leading to significant achievements, including his first ATP title in 2024 and a strong performance at Wimbledon.
Tactical Approach
Giovanni approaches big matches with a focus on leveraging his serve and dictating play from the baseline. His strategy often involves dominating early with powerful serves and finishing points quickly, especially against opponents who struggle with his pace.
Social Media Presence and Fan Engagement
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard actively engages with his fans on social media. On Instagram, he has over 50k followers, where he shares behind-the-scenes content and personal moments under the handle @giovannimperricard.
His Twitter account, with about 10k followers, is where he shares match insights and interacts with fans under @gperricard.
Giovanni loves theme parks and often shares his experiences online, revealing that if he weren’t a tennis player, he might have pursued a career as a theme park tester.
Conclusion
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s rapid rise on the tour highlights his potential to challenge top top ranking players. He’s a raw talent for sure, but we’ve seen plenty of players (John Isner, Ivo Karlovic) carve out successful careers based around a weapon like Giovanni’s. If he can continue to flesh out his game, he will be a handful for years to come.
