Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard may not be the most talked about player at the ongoing Championships but the Frenchman has already etched his name in history books by serving the fastest serve ever recorded at Wimbledon.
During his match against fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz, Mpetshi Perricard smashed a tournament-record 153mph (246kph) serve in the opening-round clash.
Mpetshi Perricard's record serve came in the opening game. The Frenchman took the first two sets 7-6, 7-6 before Fritz grabbed the next two 6-4, 7-6.
The match was suspended after four sets late on Monday night because of the tournament’s 11pm curfew. The two will resume their battle on Tuesday.
Mpetshi Perricard broke the previous Wimbledon mark of 148mph, by Taylor Dent in 2010.
However, Fritz not only managed to return the serve, he eventually won the point.
The 6'8" Mpetshi Perricard started the match by crushing a 149mph serve, which was already enough to break Dent’s record. The 21-year-old then sent down a 146mph serve at 15-0 before creating history on the following point.
The Frenchman's record is among the fastest serves ever recorded in professional tennis. Below is the list of the fastest serves in history, according to available records. Not all are ratified by the ATP.
Fastest serves in men's tennis
1. Sam Groth (Australia) – 263.4kph (163.7mph); Busan Challenger, 2012
2. Albano Olivetti (France) – 257.5kph (160mph); Trofeo FAIP – Perrel, 2012
3. John Isner (US) – 253kph (157.2mph); Davis Cup, 2016
= 4. Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) – 251kph (156mph); Davis Cup, 2011
= 4. Jerzy Janowicz (Poland) – 251kph (156mph); Pekao Szczecin Open, 2012
6. Milos Raonic (Canada) – 249.9kph (155.3mph); SAP Open, 2012
7. Andy Roddick (US) – 249.4kph (155mph); Davis Cup, 2004
8. Chris Guccione (Australia) – 248kph (154.1mph); Davis Cup, 2006
9. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France) – 246.23kph (153mph); Wimbledon, 2025
10. Joachim Johansson (Sweden) – 244.6kph (152mph); Davis Cup, 2004
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
