‘Servebot’ Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard claims he had to shut himself after sudden rise to fame but feels used to it now
Hours after sinking Ben Shelton in Basel, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard defeated Frances Tiafoe in their clash at the 2024 Paris Masters.
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Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Image via Imago)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is making a name for himself in the tennis world with his consistent performances. Hours after sinking Ben Shelton in Basel to win his maiden title on the ATP Tour, the Frenchman defeated Cincinnati Masters runner-up Frances Tiafoe in their clash at the 2024 Paris Masters.
Known for his bullet serves, Perricard has been doing it consistently for months now. He made it to the fourth round at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, despite not starting in the main draw. This sudden rise to fame felt like a challenge to the 21-year-old who is still finding his feet.
Perricard admitted that he had to shut himself to focus on tennis amid these sudden changes around him. However, the youngster is used to the feeling now.
It [the attention] will help me. I did learn from it. It was not obvious after Wimbledon. I tried to shut myself out, to block out the rest of the world and focus on my tennis. Here it’s different. I didn’t even have time to make a break after Basel…Now I feel more mature after Wimbledon…Things like that happen. I’m 21. It was brand new for me. Now I’m still 21 (smiling), and it’s less new, let’s say.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said after win over Fracnes Tiafoe
The Frenchman is on a roll this season, beating five of the six top 20 players he has faced. The only match Perricard has lost against the top 20 players was against Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open.
Givanni Mpetshi Perricard upsets Frances Tiafoe to make Paris Masters second round
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard took on Frances Tiafoe in his first-round match at the 2024 Paris Masters. Considering Tiafoe’s form, it looked like an uphill task for the local man to go past his opponent. However, Perricard fought and fought till the end.
The 6′ 8″ Frenchman, who won the biggest title of his career at the ATP 500 event in Basel last week, was forced to serve to stay in the match twice in the second set, at 4-5 and 5-6, but hung on both times, and eventually snuck out the win after just over two hours. He beat Tiafoe 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Perricard felt overwhelmed by the support he received from the crowd and sought similar support during his second-round match at the ATP 1000 tournament.
It means a lot to win in front of the French people. It’s unbelievable. It was an amazing match for me. I did some good things—some bad things sometimes, but yeah it happens! The most important part is I have the win, and now I have to be focused for the next match. I hope to have the same crowd cheering for me.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said (H/T: Tennis.com)
The local man took on Karen Khachanov for a spot in the third round but was left heartbroken as he lost the match. However, it was a tight affair with the first set going into a tiebreaker. Perricard needed 14 points to clinch the first set. However, he ran out of gas in the next two sets, losing them 1-6, 4-6.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)