Andy Roddick said he could change tennis in 2024 but he’s now lost five ATP matches in a row

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Andy Roddick became well-known as one of the sport’s greatest-ever servers during his time in tennis.

The American star breezed past many of his ATP Tour opponents with ease, often acing his way to victory.

His serving prowess led him to Grand Slam glory in 2003, as Roddick beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in the US Open final.

Roddick is perhaps better placed to comment on serves than anyone else, and boldly claimed one tennis youngster was ‘changing the game’ with his serve in 2024.

However, less than six months later, it looks like Roddick may have jumped the gun, as the 21-year-old has just lost his fifth consecutive match on the ATP Tour.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard loses his fifth consecutive match at the 2025 Madrid Open

French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round of the 2025 Madrid Open, 4-6, 4-6.

Mpetshi Perricard has now lost five consecutive matches, and holds a disappointing 6-8 record in 2025.

• 2025 Madrid Open 1R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Mariano Navone, 4-6, 4-6
• 2025 Barcelona Open 1R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Hamad Medjedovic, 5-7, 6-7
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters 1R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Jordan Thompson, 4-6, 3-6
• 2025 Miami Open 2R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Jordan Thompson, 6-7, 6-7
• 2025 Indian Wells 3R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Tallon Griekspoor, 6-7, 3-6

The world number 37 last won a match 47 days ago, when Fabian Marozsan retired due to injury during their second-round match at Indian Wells.

His recent struggles may have surprised Roddick, who suggested Mpetshi Perricard was changing the game with his serve last October.

“There comes a time when people change the game,” he said.

“My mind goes to [Jimmy] Connors, coming out with the Wilson T2000, [Boris] Becker comes in and serves his way to Wimbledon, Rafa [Nadal] comes in and the RPMs change.

“[Giovanni Mpetshi] Perricard is the first guy who can statistically responsibly just hit two first serves.

“It’s a joke, it’s different.”

Mpetshi Perricard had just won the Basel Open when Roddick made those comments, and looked dominant throughout the tournament.

The Frenchman hasn’t won another ATP title since, and has accumulated fewer points than 100 other players so far in 2025.

Can Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s serve fire him back up the rankings in 2025?

The 21-year-old star currently sits in 101st place in the live ‘ATP Race to Turin’, after picking up 240 points so far this year.

If the 21-year-old continues at the same pace, he’ll likely find himself falling out of the world’s top 100 before too long.

Mpetshi Perricard will drop 250 points from his total next month, thanks to his efforts at the now-defunct Lyon Open in 2024.

He’ll no doubt hope that his elite serve can guide him in the right direction over the coming months,

ATP players ranked by ‘Serve Rating’ (Last 52 weeks)

• 1. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard – 299.6
• 2. Matteo Berrettini – 298.7
• 3. Alexander Zverev – 297.2
• 4. Taylor Fritz – 296.6
• 5. Jannik Sinner – 296.2
• 6. Reilly Opelka – 294.7
• 7. Ben Shelton – 292.4
• 8. Hubert Hurkacz – 291.8
• 9. Brandon Nakashima – 289.6
• 10. Novak Djokovic – 287.6

Despite struggling for form, Mpetshi Perricard has maintained his spot at the top of the Serving rankings.

Mpetshi Perricard is next scheduled to appear at the Italian Open in May, before stepping down to the Challenger Tour for the event in Bordeaux.

The 2025 Italian Open is set to begin on May 7 in Rome.