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French Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard recorded fastest serve at Wimbledon during the opening round clash against USA's Taylor Fritz. (AP)
French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard smashed the record for the fastest recorded serve at Wimbledon by a full 5 mph difference… but it wasn’t still enough to win him the point during the opening round clash against USA’s Taylor Fritz.
In the opening set of the match that was eventually suspended at 2-sets each late in the night, Mpetshi Perricard hammered a 153 mph (246 km/h) bullet. The record was previously at 148 mph, struck by USA’s Taylor Dent in 2010, according to ATP website. But fifth-seeded Fritz, known for his solid all-round game, hit a block return to the bullet serve that drew an audible gasp from the crowd, neutralised the rally and ended up winning the point.
How to return the fastest ever serve at The Championships, by @Taylor_Fritz97 😳👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/cFDMzStvsF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025
Fritz however, was in danger of joining the list of major upsets on the opening day, before eventually clawing his back from two sets down to level the match – including a stunning 4th-set turnaround in the tiebreak – to stay alive overnight. The match suspended after four sets on Monday night in case they wouldn’t be able to finish before the tournament’s 11 p.m. curfew. They’ll resume on Tuesday. Mpetshi Perricard, whose speediest serve came in the opening game, took the initial two sets 7-6 (6), 7-6 (8), before Fritz grabbed the next two 6-4, 7-6 (6).
Playing with the No. 1 Court retractable roof closed and artificial lights on, Mpetshi Perricard was two points from winning while leading 5-2 in the fourth-set tiebreaker, but never got closer. From 6-all, 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Fritz took the next two points to force a fifth set and pounded his right fist on his chest, yelling, “Let’s (expletive) go! Come on!” It was about 10:15 p.m., and the players met up at the net with an official to discuss whether or not to continue.
Eventually, the chair umpire announced to the crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, due to the late time of the day, we will not be able to finish the match. Therefore the match will be suspended until tomorrow. Play is suspended.”
Fritz did not appear pleased about the interruption of his match. He looked toward his guest box with his palms up and said: “I couldn’t do anything. I tried.” In a match between two of the tour’s top servers, Mpetshi Perricard hit 33 aces before play was stopped, and Fritz hit 24. Mpetshi Perricard never earned a break point during the four sets contested Monday; Fritz had five chances and converted one.
Fritz, a 27-year-old Californian, was a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2022, losing to Rafael Nadal, and again a year ago, losing to Lorenzo Musetti. Mpetshi Perricard, a 21-year-old Frenchman, reached the fourth round at the All England Club last year, also eliminated by Musetti.
(With AP inputs)
English (US) ·