Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard believes he can have the biggest serve in ATP tour history – and it’s not hard to imagine.

In his first ever outing at the ASB Classic on Tuesday, the Frenchman offered a brutal display of power and precision against Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista-Agut. He sent down 22 aces – and often topped 220km/h with the serves down the middle – in the 63 76(2) victory. Though he is continuing to develop his all round game, the serve is the obvious focus, given its potency.

He hit nearly 600 aces on tour last year (596), after gaining 532 free points the same way in 2024. The 22-year-old also broke a Wimbledon record with a 253km/h thunderbolt and managed a second serve there that topped 220km/h.

“Sometimes the speed is not the main thing,” said Perricard. “It can be the accuracy and to be very precise. But if I’m reaching between 800 and 1,000 aces per year, it’s going to be good.”

As shown on Tuesday, it’s a fearsome weapon, delivered from his 2.03m height, generating velocity and bounce. The key for his future growth will be improving everything else, especially his slice backhand and his movement.

“We’re working on the different aspects of the game,” said Perricard. “I trust the process.”

Perricard, who grew up in Lyon, exploded onto the tennis scene in 2024. Starting the year ranked 205, he was inside the top 30 by the end of the season, after claiming two titles – including the WTA 500 event in Basel – and reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.

It was always going to be difficult to back up – but Perricard was solid if so spectacular in 2025 and comes into this year ranked No 63.“

It was a mix of everything. It was some ups, some downs, more downs than up,” said Perricard. “But it is what it is. I did some mistakes. I’m young. I’m still learning.”

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has brought his power game to the ASB Classic. Photosport

Perricard made a promising start to the new season against two-time Auckland champion Bautista-Agut, who can be a difficult opponent with his accuracy and experience. The first set was over in 36 minutes, though the second was more of a battle. Perricard looked on course – serving for the match at 5-4 – before he was broken, to the crowd’s surprise.

“I [wasn’t] really thinking about losing the game,” said Perricard. “I was very upset, of course, but he did a great game. He was present, he changed his mentality for this game and that was tough for me.”

But Perricard rebounded immediately, giving Bautista-Agut no chance in the tiebreak, as he sprung to a 6-1 lead before converting his third match point.

On Wednesday Perricard who face hometown favourite Cam Norrie in the third match of the day session. They have never faced each other on tour, though Perricard vividly recalled a practice session ahead of the 2022 French Open.

“I was around 500 in the world and he was top 10,” said Perricard. “I did a warm-up for his match. He won and he asked me to do it another one, but I wasn’t in Paris.

It’s going to be interesting. He was and he’s still a good player. He did some great things. He won Indian Wells, he was top 10. It’s a good match up for me to see if I have the level to beat those guys.”

2024 champion Alejandro Tabilo (Chile) is also through to the second round, after a comfortable 64 62 win over Camilo Ugo Carabelli (Argentina).

Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.