The opening day of Wimbledon 2025 witnessed unprecedented records, making it a momentous occasion for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. Climatological conditions peaked with temperatures reaching an astonishing 32°C, transforming the iconic tournament into a veritable sauna. This particular day not only marked the hottest start in Wimbledon’s history but also saw an impressive performance by British players. Seven British tennis players clinched victories, setting a new record for the Grand Slam event, establishing a new benchmark for home-grown talent and fervor.
Amidst these record-breaking performances, one highlight distinctly stole the show: the fastest serve ever recorded at Wimbledon. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a name that is now etched in the annals of tennis history, unleashed a scorching serve that clocked in at an astounding 153mph (246km/h) during his first-round match against American Taylor Fritz. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record of 148mph, held by Taylor Dent since 2010, by a margin of 5mph.
Interestingly, Mpetshi Perricard’s record-breaking serve occurred in the opening game of the match while the roof on No. 1 Court was closed. Yet, ironically, he did not secure the point from that blazing serve. Taylor Fritz displayed remarkable prowess by returning the serve effectively, maintaining his composure through a rally, ultimately striking with a volley to clinch the point. This exchange highlighted the intensity of the competition and the high stakes involved even at the onset of the match.
As the contest unfolded, Mpetshi Perricard continued his explosive serving, registering initial serves of 149mph and 146mph before achieving the historical milestone. He averaged 137mph (221km/h) on his first serves and managed 122mph (197km/h) on his seconds, indicating a high level of skill and control. After winning the first two sets, Perricard seemed poised for victory; however, Fritz, the Eastbourne champion, displayed resilience and maneuvered to drag the match into a decisive fifth set, which was forced to be suspended at 10:20 pm ahead of the 11 pm curfew.
The drama reached its zenith when Fritz found himself on the brink of failure, trailing 5-1 in the tie-breaker during the fourth set. Yet, demonstrating his fighting spirit, he rallied to win seven out of the subsequent eight points, thereby keeping his dreams of progression alive. Fritz’s frustration at the match suspension was evident, and he expressed his thoughts candidly to his box and later on Instagram, suggesting that he was ready to continue, claiming, “They would’ve let us play if my opponent agreed to. I said I wanted to, he didn’t.”
The interplay of time management in the match was notable. Despite having only 42 minutes remaining to complete the fifth set, the previous four sets had taken 44, 48, 33, and 45 minutes, respectively, making the continuation of play a rare yet possible endeavor.
As conversations about serving speed swirled, it is worth addressing the broader context of fastest serves in tennis. Complications arise with claims regarding the fastest serve, notably the 163.7mph (263.4km/h) recorded by Sam Groth in a 2012 ATP Challenger Tour event in South Korea, which doesn’t get acknowledged by the ATP Tour. The official record belongs to John Isner, recognized for his 157.2mph (253 km/h) serve during the 2016 Davis Cup. In the realm of ATP history, the fastest serves are as follows: John Isner at 157.2mph, Ivo Karlovic at 156mph, and Milos Raonic at 155.3mph.
Mpetshi Perricard’s remarkable achievement places him fifth in the all-time ATP list for fastest serves. Remarkably, the WTA Tour’s record for the fastest serve is held by Sabine Lisicki, who set the bar at 131mph (210.8km/h) in 2014. The thrilling excitement generated on this historic opening day underscores the invigorating spirit of Wimbledon, drawing fans to witness the evolution of athletic excellence in tennis.
