French tennis star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard experienced a dramatic and unusual moment during his opening-round match at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, forcing him to retire hurt. The 22-year-old, who has reached as high as world No. 29, was trailing compatriot Arthur Gea 5-3 in the first set when the incident occurred.
Gea, serving at 30-0, hit a passing shot down the line while Mpetshi Perricard stretched to reach a backhand volley. In a freak accident, the ball struck the frame of his racquet and ricocheted directly into his eye. Mpetshi Perricard immediately went to his knees, clutching his face in visible pain.
The Frenchman had unintentionally injured himself, and after stopping the match, he received medical attention. After a few minutes, Mpetshi Perricard briefly returned to the court but played only one more point before retiring after losing the first set. The final score was 6-3, ret. in favor of Gea, who at 21 years old continues to make steady progress in his career.
“It’s never easy to see a friend injured. It’s never easy to see this,” Gea commented after the match.
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The young player—who received a wildcard to enter the main draw—has already left a good impression on the Tour, following a strong run at the Australian Open, where he qualified and then earned his first main draw victory over 17th seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets. Gea eventually fell in an epic second-round clash against three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, in a match decided by a fifth-set super tie-break.
For Mpetshi Perricard, the retirement highlights a complicated period in his career. The Frenchman, who made a name for himself and reached the top 30 back in 2024 thanks to his incredible serve, has struggled to find consistency over the past year, falling in the rankings and losing prominence on the Tour. He was coming off a first-round loss at the Australian Open to Sebastian Baez and currently sits at world No. 55.
Mpetshi Perricard is still entered in the doubles main draw, partnering none other than Stan Wawrinka, with their debut scheduled for Tuesday, February 3. If there are no setbacks, they should be ready to face doubles specialists Jebens and Ho.
On Gea’s side, he secured his career-high ranking so far at world No. 159 and will face a tough challenge against third seed Tomas Machac, who had a first-round bye and recently won a title at the Adelaide International, in addition to reaching the third round of the Australian Open, where he was eliminated by Lorenzo Musetti.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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