"I tried to shut myself out, block out rest of the world" - Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on dealing with 'brand new' fame & media attention at age 21
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard recently spoke up about his newfound fame in the tennis world. The 21-year-old Frenchman has had a breakthrough year on the ATP Tour, and his admission about dealing with greater recognition and scrutiny came after his resounding first-round win over Frances Tiafoe at the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters.
Mpetshi Perricard started the ongoing season outside the top 200 in the ATP Tour rankings. However, a rapid improvement in form, aided by his blistering serve, allowed him to quickly climb up the rankings. He won his maiden ATP Tour-level title at the Lyon Open earlier on in the season, and recently, he clinched the title match at the Swiss Indoors Basel, a prestigious ATP 500 event.
The Frenchman carried on at the Rolex Paris Masters right where he left off in Basel, registering a 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Frances Tiafoe. After the match, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was asked about how he responded to the greater media attention on him following his surprise run to the fourth round of this year's Wimbledon Championships.
Mpetshi Perricard was initially not in main draw at the grasscourt Major, and had to make his way there through qualifying. The youngster explained that following the end of his Wimbledon campaign, he did his best to keep his mind firmly focused on playing tennis. However, the Frenchman soon opined that things now have slightly changed because he has gotten somewhat used to the attention around him.
"It will help me. I did learn from it. It was not obvious after Wimbledon. I tried to shut myself out, to block out the rest of the world and focus on my tennis. Here it's different. I didn't even have time to make a break after Basel. I just started the tournament right after winning another," Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said.
"Now I feel more mature after Wimbledon. Wimbledon was unexpected, because I was not in the draw when it came out. Things like that happen. I'm 21. It was brand new for me. Now I'm still 21 (smiling), and it's less new, let's say," he added.
Mpetshi Perricard's Rolex Paris Masters campaign though, was cut short in the second round by Karen Khachanov. Meanwhile, former World No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has made a bold prediction about the Frenchman.
Daniil Medvedev suggested that Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has the potential to win a Major in the future
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has already gained a fierce reputation on the ATP Tour, primarily due to his powerful serve. Recently, Daniil Medvedev was asked at a Rolex Paris Masters press conference if the Frenchman had it in him to break into the top 10 of the ATP Tour rankings and potentially win a Grand Slam in the future. The Russian agreed.
"Yes, I think he (Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard) could be a top-10 player. He's not far. He's 40, 30 now with his title. I don't know where he is now. As for a Grand Slam, it won't be easy for him. Even in Basel he had four deciders, so it's a five-setter in a Grand Slam. He could win," Medvedev said.
Having started the year outside the top 200, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is now ranked 31st, with a 15-11 win-loss record this season.