Taylor Fritz returns fastest serve in opening match at Wimbledon - ABC News

Published 9 hours ago• 2 minute read

Fritz defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the fifth set Tuesday.

American tennis star Taylor Fritz is off to a strong start at The Championships, securing his first win on the iconic grass court after returning the fastest serve ever recorded at Wimbledon.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France serves against Taylor Fritz of U.S. during their Gentlemen's Singles first round Wimbledon match, June 30, 2025 in London.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The U.S. Open runner-up returned a top-speed serve at 153 mph off unranked Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening game of their match Monday.

The World No. 5 men's singles player not only returned the new record-setting serve, but controlled the rally to win the point.

Taylor Fritz returns a shot from unranked French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during the Men's Singles First Round match on day one of The Championships Wimbledon 2025.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Perricard's record breaks the previous mark that American Taylor Dent set with his 148-mph serve in 2010, ESPN first reported.

The pair's match was postponed at 10:20 p.m. local time until Tuesday, shortly after Fritz battled back from two sets down to force a decisive fifth set following his tiebreak win in the fourth.

Taylor Fritz reacts to the decision to suspend play during the Gentlemen's Singles first round of Wimbledon in London.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The crowd audibly criticized the umpire's ruling, booing the decision and announcement that they would suspend play for the late time, which was nearing Wimbledon's 11 p.m. curfew.

On Tuesday, Fritz and Perricard resumed on Court No. 1.

The 27-year-old San Diego native controlled the final set 6 games to 4 for his first win of the tournament.

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