5 unknown facts about Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard, the lucky loser who has taken Wimbledon 2024 by storm

Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard is gearing up for his third-round encounter with Emil Ruusuvuori at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships scheduled for Saturday, July 6. His one-of-a-kind journey at the grass Major has the tennis world take note of the Frenchmen's fine skills and athleticism.

Perricard went through the grinds of the qualifiers at Wimbledon, overcoming Ugo Blanchet and Antoine Escoffier before losing to Maxime Janvier. It was when Alejandro Davidovich Fokina withdrew from his opening round match against Sebastian Korda due to back injury that Perricard made it to the main draw as the Lucky Loser.

In a five-set battle that lasted three hours and twenty one minutes Perricard tasted a victory over a seeded player. The strongest weapon in his arsenal was his serve that enabled him to fire 51 aces.

The feat makes him seventh on the list of men who have hit more than 50 aces in a match, that includes the likes of John Isner and Ivo Karlovic. Perricard next defeated Yoshihito Nishioka to book a third-round spot at Wimbledon.

Let's get to know the towering 6'8" Lucky Loser who is at his career high ranking of No. 58 a little better.

5 unknown facts about Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard who has taken Wimbledon 2024 by storm

#1 He comes from a sporting family

Perricard was born to father Guylain Mpetshi and mother Sylvie Perricard in 2003. He has two siblings, Ariane Mpetshi Perricard and Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard. The family has a sports background with his father, a semi-professional soccer player and his sister Ariane, a basketball player. He looks up to his mother Sylvie as his hero.

#2 He left home as a 12-year-old

Perricard left home at the young age of 12 to train in Poitiers under the French Tennis Federation. His hard work bore fruit when he teamed up with Arthur Fils to win his first junior title at the 2021 French Open Boys Doubles.

Perricard won his maiden singles junior title at the 2023 Leon Challenger. He backed it with three more Challenger title-wins at the 2024 Nottingham, Cuernavaca, and Acapulco.

Before making the main draw at Wimbledon, he clinched his maiden ATP Tour title on his home soil at Lyon this season, overcoming the likes of Alexander Bublik and Thomas Etcheverry.

#3 Rafael Nadal is his idol

While he is sliding on the grass at Wimbledon, the World No. 58's favorite tournament remains the French Open. His love for the tournament follows his favorite player to be the 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

In an interview after his title-win at Lyon with ATP, Perricard shared that he is an ardent soccer fan and unwinds with video games.

"Football. I watch a lot of football because I'm a big fan of Olympique Lyonnais. I like to play video games, that helps me on the road. I like to take time, enjoy life, enjoy with my friends. I am 20 years old so I still have the rest of my life," Perricard said as per the ATP website.

He is also a big admirer of soccer star Ronaldo, 8-time Grand Prix champion Lewis Hamilton and basketball legend LeBron James.

#4 He is a fan of Superhero movies

On a lighter note, Perricard has a love for Superhero movies. In the same interview when asked which superhero's powers would he like for himself, Perricard was quick to answer:

"Superman, because he's unbelievable. No weakness. I will take Superman."

#5 Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard listens to rap music before entering the court

Perricard's musical choice leans towards the genre of rap. He uses the rythmic energy to pump himself up before matches that he equates to boxers going toe-to-toe with each other.

"I have some [music]. I listen every time to the same music before the match, especially rap music puts me in a good mood. Tennis is like boxing, it's 1 v. 1. I have to be in a good mood to be ready to play my game," Perricard said as per the ATP website.

Whether Perricard makes a deeper run or not, the 20-year-old is surely making waves at this year's Wimbledon.