Rafael Nadal & Coco Gauff as idols, growing up with brother Giovanni & more: Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard opens up in Exclusive from Australian Open

The tennis world has already witnessed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's might but the Perricard family has more to offer as the Frenchman's sister Daphnee readies herself to leave her mark on the WTA Tour. Aged 16, Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard is ranked 65 in the ITF Junior rankings, having two singles titles under her belt already.

The Frenchwoman has also won two trophies on the ITF doubles circuit, one with Milena Ciocan in 2022 and the other with Lilli Tagger in 2023. She's yet to make her senior Grand Slam main draw debut and is placed 1202nd in the WTA rankings.

The teenager most recently competed in the girls singles and doubles tournaments at the 2025 Australian Open. In doubles, she paired up with compatriot Eleejah Inisan but unfortunately couldn't clear the first hurdle, losing 0-6, 6-4 [4-10] to the Chinese pair of Wei Zhang-Qian and Qu Yihan.

The Frenchwoman had a relatively better outing in the girls' singles event, as she overcame American Shannon Lam 7-5, 6-2 in her opener. In the second round, she drew Julia Stusek, the No. 16 seed from Germany, and produced a valiant effort but couldn't cross the finish line, losing 2-6, 6-4, 5-7.

Sportskeeda had the opportunity to sit down with the promising teenager on the sidelines of the Australian Open and learn about her choices and equation with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

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Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard Exclusive

Daphne Mpetshi Perricard in action at 2024 ITF World Tennis Tour (Image Source: Getty)

Sportskeeda: A tough fight against Stusek out there, what went wrong?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: Yeah, today it was tough. It was a huge fight. I was close to win the match but unfortunately, I didn’t. It’s okay. I’m just going to keep working on my game and let’s what I can do next.

Sportskeeda: We obviously know your brother has been playing amazing tennis lately. Is there some competition between the you two?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: No, not really. I’m just looking at what he’s doing, taking his experience. I’m just trying to get it my own way also. That’s it, it’s not a competition between us (laughs). Yeah, he’s my brother so, sometimes we have fights too. But yeah, we have fun. We like to hang out together, do stuff as siblings.

Sportskeeda: Do you look up to anyone, except your brother?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: I really like Coco Gauff and also Rafael Nadal.

Sportskeeda: Do you have any favorite memories of Rafa?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: Maybe when he won the Australian Open against [Daniil] Medvedev in 2022, the comeback. He was leading two sets to love and he won it in five sets. I saw the whole match.

Sportskeeda: Is there something in Coco Gauff's game that you want to have?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: Maybe the way she moves from the baseline. I’m trying to take inspiration from her game. She’s one of my idols so yeah.

Sportskeeda: What's your favorite shot to play on the tennis court?

Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard: I like to serve, I have a huge serve (laughs) like my brother. And I like to make the game with my forehand especially. I’m trying to go to the net also to finish the points. So, that’s how I play.