The 2025 tennis season has just begun. In Brisbane, Australia, the weather may be warm, but the tension amongst competitors is certainly giving it a frosty chill. Everyone is eager to make this season their best, especially Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. After earning the title of ATP’s Most Improved Player last year, he seems determined to elevate his game even further. However, not all his rivals are pleased with his recent form.

On Friday, during the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, Perricard faced off against young rising star Jakub Mensik. the 19-year-old, who is fresh off a disappointing early exit at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Riyadh, was eager to showcase his skills at a higher level of competition. Entering the tournament with high hopes, Mensik had previously defeated Dusan Lajovic and Mikhail Kukushkin in earlier rounds. However, he struggled to maintain that momentum against Perricard.

In a thrilling showdown, the Frenchman emerged victorious in straight sets. He displayed remarkable skill, finishing the match in just 92 minutes with a score of 7-5, 7-6(5), capped off by a stunning volley winner. However, the post-match scene turned icy when Mensik barely acknowledged Perricard at the net. He quickly grabbed Perricard’s hand for a brief handshake before walking away without a glance.

An X user captured the moment and captioned it, “The handshake between Mpetshi Perricard and Mensik 🥶.”

Mensik’s disappointment may stem from his desire to face Djokovic again after their competitive match at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, where he lost in a tight contest (6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4). Although, it’s yet to be revealed why the young star chose to react the way he did.

Perricard shrugged off the awkward moment and focused on his victory. However, his next challenge looms large. In the semifinals, he could face Reilly Opelka, who beat Novak Djokovic in the quarters.

However, he has plenty to feel good about as his season kicks off impressively. Earlier in the tournament, he defeated Nick Kyrgios in the first round, earning high praise for his performance from Brad Gilbert, the former coach of top WTA player Coco Gauff.

Gilbert makes a bold claim about the Frenchman’s potential this season

To say that the match between Kyrgios and Perricard was a nail-biter is an understatement. While both players battled fiercely in three tightly contested sets, ultimately, Perricard triumphed with a score of 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(3). As he celebrated his win against the Aussie, what stood out even more than the thrilling play was his serving prowess; he fired an astonishing 36 aces compared to Kyrgios’s 15. And it certainly made quite an impression on Brad Gilbert.

Taking to his X account, he drew a bold comparison between Perricard and ace king John Isner. He speculated, “thinking 🤔 if Perricard plays 55-60ish matches on the season could see him breaking @JohnIsner all time aces for a year @SharkoTennis will be very interesting, what returners will adjust too.” Isner currently holds the record for the most aces in ATP history, with a staggering total of 14,470 throughout his career. His best season came in 2015 when he served 1,260 aces in just 68 matches.

Notably, Perricard played only 28 matches in 2024 but still managed to rack up an impressive 532 aces, averaging about 19 per match. His recent performance further emphasizes his potential on tour. In his last tournament of the previous season at the Paris Masters, he maintained his strong serving game. where he was seen hitting 28 aces against Frances Tiafoe and 20 against Karen Khachanov in his second match. If he continues at this pace, Perricard could indeed challenge Isner’s records, making Gilbert’s prediction one to watch out for.

Following his victory over Kyrgios, he expressed his excitement, saying, “Playing against Nick was a good match for me; he did some good things during the match.” He acknowledged the Aussie’s confidence and strong serve but credited his own determination for the win. “It was very exciting to play this one, and I’m very happy to get the win. I knew it was going to be a serve match. I hope I will have a nice recovery and be back in two days.”

Looks like the tournament is heating up and excitement in the air. With Perricard making it to the semi-finals, he’s setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.