The New Year might only be two days old but stories are already starting to develop in the world of tennis as the ATP Tour gets into full swing.
It won’t be long before players are focused on the Australian Open with the first major of the year just 10 days away.
After enjoying a vastly improved year on the tour in 2024, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will see this year as a chance to really break out as a player.
It’s very much a case of so far so good for the Frenchman at the Brisbane International with Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe despatched so far.
The 21-year-old is on a collision course with Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open warm-up event but first, he must overcome Czech player Jakub Mensik.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard shares whether he can beat Novak Djokovic
Djokovic will have some serious fire in his belly this year going into the Australian Open which takes place in Melbourne in the coming weeks.
The legendary player didn’t win a major title in 2024 and had to make do with the Olympic gold medal that he needed to essentially complete tennis.
Djokovic has Andy Murray in his corner at the Australian Open this year and it will be fascinating to see how that partnership can flourish at the first major of the year.
Earlier today Djokovic overcame Gael Monfils for the 20th time of his career and a semi-final with Mpetshi-Perricard remains on the cards.
It would appear as though the world number 31 isn’t fazed by Djokovic and would relish the chance to face him at the Brisbane International.
He said during his press conference: “I mean, if I can play Novak in the final, it’s always better. Yeah I mean, I saw I wasn’t in his draw until the semis. I was like, whew, okay! Yeah, I think it’s going to be a good match if I’m playing against him.
“Right now, I’m not focused on if because ‘if’ does not exist. I will do my best to beat Mensik. The matchup is only some dream, but not in my mind. Yeah, I’m not yet in the semis. I will do my best in the quarters.
“On a lucky day, I can beat anyone. I don’t like this mentality to be scared or not scared. I’m just focused on what I can do. If I’m doing good, of course, I will be dangerous. If I’m doing bad, everybody can beat me.
“Of course, Novak is one of the best players in the world. He was the best for a couple of years. Yeah I mean it’s always impressive to see him in the locker room or see him around.
“If one day I can play against him, yeah, I have to put this part to the side and be focused on the game because overall it’s just a tennis match.”
Mpetshi Perricard will hope to climb the rankings this year
At 21-years-old the future is bright for the Frenchman and his huge serve could see him cause some chaos on the tour this year.
Playing against Djokovic is clearly something that he’s keen to do in the coming days and it would appear he’s ready to face the Serbian.
It will be fascinating to see whether Djokovic can claim Grand Slam title number 25 this year and truly establish as the greatest player ever.
For Mpetshi Perricard the challenge is to progress at the major events and ensure he improves on 2024.
He only reached the second week at Wimbledon last year, losing in the first round at both the French Open and the US Open.
Mpetshi Perricard didn’t even qualify for the Australian Open 12 months ago and as a result, he can go into this year’s event with little pressure on his shoulders.
If a meeting with Djokovic is set up for the Brisbane International, beating such a dominant force ahead of the Australian Open would certainly give the youngster plenty of confidence.
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