"Hopefully Ben Shelton doesn't have a fractured knuckle" - Roger Federer's ex-coach addresses Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's display in Basel final
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard completed his dream week at the 2024 Swiss Indoors Basel with his second career title. The French youngster's superior serving skills came in handy as he dispatched Ben Shelton in the title contest at the ATP 500 tournament.
Mpetshi Perricard came into the final of the Swiss Indoors Basel without dropping his serve all week. He continued that streak against Shelton, hitting 22 aces and saving all three breakpoints en route to a 6-4, 7-6(4) win. Ranked World No. 50, Mpetshi Perricard became the lowest-ranked player to win the tournament.
Serving has been the cornerstone of the 21-year-old's career. During the campaign at Basel, his average second serve speed (129 mph) was higher than Shelton's average first serve speed (120 mph). On the ATP Tour, the 6’8” Frenchman has been the best server this year, with a serve rating of 300.1, ahead of Alexander Zverev's 298.3.
More impressively, Mpetshi Perricard has by far the highest average aces per match ratio (18.6) of any player on the tour. The closest rival to him in this regard was Hubert Hurkacz (13.8).
Famed tennis coach Paul Annacone, who previously worked with Swiss legend Roger Federer, was amazed by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's serving prowess. The American particularly praised the Frenchman's coach, Emmanuel Planque, for setting a clear plan for success which utilizes his player's biggest weapon.
"To see him is just incredible. What impresses me most, from the playing and coaching point of view, is someone that's that clear. You just never see someone. Yeah, maybe double faults, maybe doesn't, but he's just clear. It's just picture perfect of what he's trying to do. And I think that clarity lends itself to the ability that he's going to make a ton of them because he doesn't let stuff cloud his mind. I'm a great server. I'm gonna serve. That's just the way it is," Annacone said on the Tennis Channel.
Annacone commended Mpetshi Perricard for using smart variations in his serve like the body serve. The American also mentioned the 230kmph body serve that hit Shelton on his knuckles and hoped that his compatriot had not suffered a fracture.
"He throws in a few body serves. He hit Ben on his right. Ben was trying to get out of the way and basically tried to hit a two handed backhand, hit him off the right knuckles and hopefully he doesn't have a fractured knuckle based on the pace it was. He's just a great server, the way it is."
"I almost killed myself trying to return Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's serve" - Ben Shelton jokes after the Basel final
Ben Shelton was left bamboozled and nearly injured by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's serving during their final at the Swiss Indoors Basel. During the presentation ceremony, the American congratulated the Frenchman on his victory and joked that he nearly "killed" himself while trying to return his serve, alluding to the 230 kmph body serve that hit him on his hand.
"First of all, obviously, I wanna congratulate Gio on a great week on a great match today. I almost killed myself trying to return your serve. So many other parts of your game have improved so much and you're such a great young talent and so good for the sport," Shelton said.
Shelton also complimented Mpetshi Perricard on his impressive 10 months on the ATP Tour that saw him rise from outside of 200 in January to the top 50 in July to now career-high ranking of World No. 31 after Basel triumph. The Frenchman won his maiden tour title at the Lyon Open in May 2024.
"It's cool to see so many different styles out here on tour, and you add so much so congrats on an outstanding breakout season going from 200 in the world to 30 in the world in 10 months is something to be very very proud of," Shelton added.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Ben Shelton are next set to feature at the 2024 Paris Masters. Mpetshi Perricard, awarded a main draw wildcard, will face 14th seed Frances Tiafoe. Meanwhile, Shelton will face French qualifier Corentin Moutet before a potential showdown with top seed Jannik Sinner.