“Gio the Giant” is growing fast on the Challenger Tour | ATP Tour
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is tennis crazy. In addition to early success on the ATP Challenger Tour, the 19-year-old also manages to follow close friends such as Arthur Filson Challenger TV.
Amidst all the matches, practices, training, traveling and small details that are part of the life of a professional tennis player, the Frenchman is a true supporter of his friends.
This week at the Helsinki Challenger, he didn’t have to go online to watch Fils. He was behind the net in the first round qualifier.
“I try to watch every Arthur match on Challenger TV,” Mpetshi Perricard told ATPTour.com.
In 2021, ‘Gio’ made his first breakthrough when he teamed up with Fils to win Roland Garros boys’ doubles title. In the same week, Fils beat him in the boys’ singles semi-finals en route to second place (l. Van Assche). In Finland, the roles changed when Mpetshi Perricard made it to the main series of the Helsinki Challenger. #NextGenATP The French are hoping to be among their country’s next generation of top professionals.
“It was nice to win the boys doubles championship at home with my friend,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “Now that I see the results of guys like Arthur and others Gabriel Debru, we push each other in a good way. When we return to practice at [French Tennis] The union, there is a good atmosphere together.”
The Lyon native, who has only competed in eight Challenger events in his career, is already learning valuable lessons through the ups and downs of the pro circuit. One important learning curve came after a tough loss in May.
“At the Bordeaux Challenger I lost in qualifying Salvatore Caruso after two match points,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “After the match I said to myself: ‘Giovanni, you had two match points against a very good player, so you can go higher!’
– The beginning of the season was very complicated for me. I had a shoulder injury and was sick. Now I’m really happy to play 100 percent.
This summer, ‘Gio’ progressed through qualifying en route to his first Challenger semi-final at the Liberec Challenger, where he lost to the eventual champion. Jiri Lehecka. The Frenchman continued to play well on clay courts, including the Lima-2 Challenger where he was a quarterfinalist (l. Coria).
The youngster is 6’7″ tall and plays an aggressive style of game. With a powerful transfer, solid palm and one-handed cover, ‘Gio’ crashes into any opportunity to close the net.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard operational in 2022 Lima-2 Challenger. Credit: @igmachallengers
Coach Emmanuel Planque, who has previously worked with former Top 25 players Michael Llodra, To Lucas Pouand Fabric Santoroworld number 382 has his eyes on following in the footsteps of his French tennis idols Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils achieve a childhood dream.
“Growing up, you see Roland Garros on TV, and I said to myself, “I want to be there!” Mpetshi Perricard said.
The Frenchman is not the only tennis player in his family with a bright future. Her 13-year-old sister Daphnee won the J3 Saint Cyprien ITF event last month. Giovanni laughed as he said he would never let her beat him.
Whether he’s watching his friends on Challenger TV, achieving his own success, or enjoying sibling rivalry against his younger sister, “Gio” has the sport of tennis running through his veins.