Gio The Giant Bursts Onto The Scene

Lyon’s own Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, affectionately known as Gio the Giant, broke through in a big way in front of a home crowd, clinching his maiden ATP title at the 2024 Open Parc de Lyon. He edged out Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in a nail-biting 6-4, 1-6, 7-6⁷ thriller, saving a championship point and delivering under pressure like a seasoned pro.

“My goal was to win a 250 or 500, but to win both is amazing.”

– Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Gio’s win in Lyon was the capstone to a breakthrough season that included three Challenger titles and a thunderous showing at Wimbledon, where he fired 51 aces in a five-set victory over Sebastian Korda. Later in the season, he claimed another ATP trophy at the Swiss Open in Basel, out-serving Ben Shelton in a slugfest that thrilled fans and analysts alike.

The French powerhouse closed the year with a 16–12 tour-level record, a career-high No. 31 ATP ranking, and a reputation as one of the most dangerous servers on tour.

Coco Gauff: Still A Force, Still Fighting

Coco Gauff didn’t replicate the sky-high peaks of her 2023 campaign—but she proved once again why she’s a staple in the top tier of women’s tennis. After an electric 2023 that saw her win the US Open, Cincinnati, and DC, Coco opened 2024 by defending her Auckland title and reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open, where she was stopped by eventual champ Aryna Sabalenka.

“Just staying resilient, fighting for every point.”

– Coco Gauff

Gauff continued to post strong results: a semifinal run at Indian Wells, deep clay-court finishes in Rome and Paris, and a WTA 1000 win in Beijing, her second career title at that level.

Though her Wimbledon and US Open campaigns ended earlier than expected, Coco saved her best for last. At the WTA Finals in Riyadh, she knocked off both the world No. 1 and No. 2 in straight sets to capture the title—her eighth tour-level championship. She wrapped up the season with a 54–17 record and the world No. 3 ranking.

Whether it’s Gio unleashing aces or Coco grinding out clutch rallies, 2024 reminded us that the future of tennis is in good hands. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Coco Gauff are proof that hard work, belief, and a touch of swagger can go a long way. With both players poised to make even more noise in 2025, fans should keep their eyes on Crosscourt Slice for all the latest slices, serves, and shockers from the world of tennis.

With all that, I’ll see you across the net!