Standing tall at 6’8”, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard—affectionately nicknamed Gio the Giant—is one of the most exciting young French tennis prospects. With a thunderous serve, a powerful forehand, and a smooth one-handed backhand, Gio is starting to make his mark on both the ATP Challenger Tour and the main circuit. Though he’s still chasing the consistency of peers like Arthur Fils and Luca Van Assche, the 20-year-old’s raw talent and recent results suggest a bright future ahead.

First Challenger Title: Leon Open 2023

Gio’s breakthrough came at the 2023 Mextenis Leon Open, where he stormed through qualifying and defeated four seeded opponents en route to his first Challenger title.

He showcased his trademark serving dominance throughout the tournament, facing almost no break points in match after match. In the final against Argentina’s Juan Pablo Ficovich, Gio saved his best for last—firing 11 aces, dominating service games, and taking the win in a dramatic third-set tiebreak. It was his seventh match of the week, and his performance never wavered.

His path included clutch wins over Thiago Agustin Tirante and Maximilian Neuchrist, both decided in high-pressure tiebreaks, further highlighting his mental toughness and ability to serve his way out of trouble.

Tour-Level Breakthroughs: From Roland Garros to Antwerp

While most of his 2023 was spent on the Challenger Tour, Gio made his Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros as a wildcard. He lost a grueling five-setter to Genaro Alberto Olivieri, but it marked his first taste of the big stage.

In Antwerp, Gio broke through at the ATP level. After qualifying, he earned his first two ATP main-draw wins, including a 71-minute upset over home favorite and former World No. 7 David Goffin. In the quarterfinals, he battled third seed Alexander Bublik, taking a set before ultimately falling to the eventual champion.

A Serve Built for the Big Leagues

Gio’s game is built around a monster serve that has already turned heads on tour. His serving stats during the Leon Challenger were eye-popping:

• Over 80% first-serve points won in most matches

• Minimal break points faced

• Multiple matches with 10+ aces

That weapon alone makes him dangerous on any surface.

Looking Ahead: Can Gio Join France’s Next Gen Elite?

With Arthur Fils and Luca Van Assche already breaking into the Top 100 and playing in the Next Gen ATP Finals, Gio’s next step is putting it all together on the main tour. If he can find more consistency and continue evolving his return game, there’s no doubt he could be a part of France’s new golden generation.

Will 2024 be Gio’s breakout year? Don’t be surprised if you start seeing “Gio the Giant” deep in ATP draws—and maybe even at a Grand Slam near you.