Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard hits fastest serve in Wimbledon history – but still loses the point
The 21-year-old Frenchman, who stands at 6'8', launched the massive serve in the first game of the first-round match on Court 1.
Astonishingly, the serve down the middle was returned exquisitely in play by fifth seed Fritz, who then won the point.
Perricard's 153mph serve beats the previous Wimbledon record held by Tayor Dent (148mph in 2010) and Grand Slam record held by Reilly Opelka of 149mph at the 2021 Australian Open.
Perricard's 153mph serve ranks as the ninth-quickest serve in history, and fifth-quickest via official statistics.
The world record, held by Australian player Sam Groth, stands at 163mph, clocked at the 2012 Busan Open in South Korea.
However, it is not officially recognised by the ATP, given it happened at challenger level, one step below the ATP Tour.
The quickest serve recognised by ATP stands at 157mph, from American John Isner in the 2016 Davis Cup against Australia in Kooyong.
As for this year's first round clash, Perricard, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year as a lucky loser, won the opening two sets on a tiebreak before Fritz came roaring back to force a decider.
However, play was suspended with the 11pm curfew looming, much to the irritation of Fritz, and the players will return to Court 1 at 2:30pm (approx.) on Tuesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
Wimbledon 2025 live: Raducanu faces formidable Sabalenka and Alcaraz continues hat-trick bid
It's day five of Wimbledon 2025, and there's another packed schedule ahead with Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, Cam Norrie and Aryna Sabalenka in action. Raducanu, in fact, takes on Sabalenka in the final match on Centre Court today, as the young Briton and the world No 1 vie for a spot in the fourth round. Before that, on the same court, Alcaraz continues his bid for a third straight title in SW19, facing Jan-Lennard Struff. Elsewhere, Cam Norrie is the last Briton standing in the men's draw, and he'll try to overcome Mattia Bellucci on No 1 Court. That will be after Sonay Kartal goes up against Diane Parry, with Kartal aiming to do the home crowd proud. Naomi Osaka, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys are among the other big names in action, and all will hope to emulate the likes of Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova – three key players who advanced on Thursday. Djokovic progressed at the expense of Britain's Dan Evans, whose compatriot Jack Draper was the leading prospect for the home crop until he fell to former runner-up Marin Cilic. Welcome to Wimbledon 2025 day five It's day five of Wimbledon 2025, and there's another packed schedule ahead with Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, Cam Norrie and Aryna Sabalenka in action. Raducanu, in fact, takes on Sabalenka in the final match on Centre Court today, as the young Briton and the world No 1 vie for a spot in the fourth round. Before that, on the same court, Alcaraz continues his bid for a third straight title in SW19, facing Jan-Lennard Struff. Elsewhere, Cam Norrie is the last Briton standing in the men's draw, and he'll try to overcome Mattia Bellucci on No 1 Court. That will be after Sonay Kartal goes up against Diane Parry, with Kartal aiming to do the home crowd proud. Naomi Osaka, Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys are among the other big names in action, and all will hope to emulate the likes of Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova – three key players who advanced on Thursday. Djokovic progressed at the expense of Britain's Dan Evans, whose compatriot Jack Draper was the leading prospect for the home crop until he fell to former runner-up Marin Cilic. Alex Pattle4 July 2025 07:00
Metro
40 minutes ago
- Metro
Nick Kyrgios calls for huge rule change at Wimbledon to ‘make everyone happy'
Nick Kyrgios has recommended Wimbledon and the other Grand Slams scrap the majority of five-set matches in a huge overhaul of tennis. The former Grand Slam finalist believes making every match before the quarter-final stage of Grand Slams would 'solve a lot of issues'. In the current landscape, men's Grand Slam matches are played as best-of-five sets while women's are best-of-three. The length of Grand Slam matches has been debated for decades, with many of the opinion that women should play the longer format. Others believe the only change should see men's matches – which can last five hours if they go to a fifth and final set – reduced. The debate has resurfaced at Wimbledon after world number three Jessica Pegula said she believed best-of-five set tennis was too long and argued the shorter format should be adopted in the men's game. Kyrgios has a slightly different take, suggesting both men and women should play best-of-three until the quarter-finals, when it would go up to a potential five sets for both sets of players. 'My idea to make everyone happy would be the first week of Grand Slams should be best-of-three sets and then from the quarter-finals onwards, it should be best-of-five sets,' Kyrgios told talkSPORT. 'It would solve a lot of issues early on, it would see a lot of different players making their way through to the quarter-finals. 'These bigger players, once they lose the first set in some of these earlier matches, they're already under the pump. 'They know that they don't have that wiggle room to make their way back into the match. 'So I think the first week should be best-of-three and then the quarter-finals onwards should be best-of-five, so we get those kind of marathon matches with the best players in the world. 'You look at the French Open final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, that was some of the best tennis that the sport's ever seen. 'I don't think we should completely lose it altogether but I think from the quarter-finals onwards, it should be best-of-five sets.' American tennis star Pegula was tipped for a productive run at Wimbledon but suffered a shock first-round defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Asked asked the loss if she was keen for women's tennis to be played over five sets, Pegula said: 'No. I would rather the men play two-out-of-three. 'I don't think we all need to start playing three-out-of-five. For me it's too long. I personally lose interest watching the matches. 'I personally will not watch a full five-hour match. People can't even hold their attention long enough they say these days with phones. More Trending 'How are they holding their attention for five hours? I don't know. Just not my thing. I know some people love it. 'I think it would be a lot easier for TV, for scheduling. TV's always talking about making everything faster and quicker, all of that stuff. 'But it's been such a staple for the men. I find it hard to believe they're ever going to change it. Maybe if they could play three-out-of-five from the quarters on. Something like that. 'Maybe there's something where they look at changing it for certain rounds. I think that might be interesting. But I think that's very far away.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Wimbledon star held back from umpire as crowd boo 'embarrassing' decision MORE: Comedian admits he 'nearly got into a punch-up' at Wimbledon MORE: Tim Henman names two 'favourites' to win Wimbledon as Novak Djokovic advances
Scottish Sun
40 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Emma Raducanu turns up to watch men's world number one in Wimbledon practise amid Carlos Alcaraz romance rumours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA RADUCANU got ready for her clash with the women's world No 1 — by watching the men's world No 1. And the British underdog — who is 3-1 to shock Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court today — has vowed to behave aggressively as she fights to stay in Wimbledon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Emma Raducanu played keepy puppies ahead of her big match Credit: PA 4 She underwent a final session ahead of her clash with Aryna Sabalenka Credit: Getty 4 Raducanu watched Jannik Sinner beat Aleksandar Vukic Credit: PA Raducanu, 22, was doing keepy-uppies with her team at SW19's Aorangi Park training base. And before facing the Belarusian three-time Grand Slam champion, she watched the world's top man, Jannik Sinner, practise ahead of his straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Vukic. British No 1 Raducanu said: 'I'm trying to learn by osmosis. Jannik is so effortless when he hits the ball. 'I have been trying to watch a bit more live when I am away. I watched Joao Fonseca the other day. 'I have just been practising for just an hour and ten minutes. 'I was working on a few things I will need. 'I feel good. I'm doing everything I can on my side. I know over time I'm doing the right things.' Raducanu's 70-minute session started at 3pm and she hit mostly with colleague Adam Jones under the watchful eye of new coach Mark Petchey and good pal Jane O'Donoghue. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 Raducanu has been romantically linked to Carlos Alcaraz Credit: PA It was after that hit she went and watched Italian Sinner, sitting on a park bench for about 20 minutes. The Petchey masterplan worked when she impressively knocked out the 2023 Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday evening. Carlos Alcaraz claims he 'will do whatever she wants me to do' in revealing Emma Raducanu interview after Wimbledon win Now, there is nothing to lose, there is no pressure on Raducanu and, in a way, it is a free hit. She has never beaten anyone ranked No 1 in the world — in fact, she has never even won a set. But if she can approach it in the same manner as her victory over Czech star Vondrousova, then maybe she could shake up the entire women's draw. Raducanu added: 'Aryna is No 1 in the world for a reason. 'She has been so dominant in the women's game as of the last few years. 'I know it's going to be a massive challenge. I'm going to have to play some really good tennis. 'I'm going to have to be aggressive but pick my moments and not kind of be overly aggressive. You can fall into that trap, too. 'I don't think I'm going to go out there and out-power her size-wise and power-wise. 'I'm going to have to try to be creative as well. I'm more confident in my own game. 'Having the direction over the last few months built over consistency has really helped.'
