Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's serve stats dazzle as Boris Becker supports Pete Sampras in 'best serve ever' debate

Boris Becker joined the social media discussion after a user claimed that Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard possesses the best serve in tennis history. The 7-time Grand Slam champion disagreed, instead nominating Pete Sampras as an example of the greatest serve.

The Frenchman impressed during the 2024 season finale with his powerful serve, earning the Most Improved Player of the Year award after climbing from outside the top 200 to World No. 30 by season’s end.

Becker joins the best serve debate

The 21-year-old averaged an impressive 135 mph (217 km/h) on his first serve and 123 mph (197 km/h) on his second serve in 2024. Over the past 52 weeks, Mpetshi Perricard led the unreturned serve percentage with an astounding 46.5%, significantly outpacing players like Thanasi Kokkinakis (40.9%), Hubert Hurkacz (37.4%), Tallon Griekspoor (36.3%), and Alexander Bublik (36.0%).

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Ranked World No. 31, Mpetshi Perricard shares the record for the fastest second serve in history—clocked at 146 mph (235 km/h) during the first round of the Stuttgart Open against Lorenzo Musetti, matching Milos Raonic’s 2017 Australian Open mark.

In the early 2025 season, the Frenchman has already secured wins over Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe, amassing 56 aces in just two matches. With exceptional stats from a handful of top-tier tournaments, some believe he may boast one of the greatest serves ever seen on tour—if not the very best, as a social media user suggested:

“Perricard has the best serve I’ve ever seen. From the mechanics, to the ease of power, to the effectiveness,” posted user Big 3 Tennis. “I think he’ll end up being regarded as the best server ever.”

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After fan reactions poured in, the user clarified, “Of course I should clarify it’s not the best ever yet, but I believe it will be eventually.”

Becker reposted the claim, replying, “Are you really sure about that?!?” prompting even more fans to debate the topic. One fan shared a gif of 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras winking, to which Becker responded in agreement, “For example…”

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