The usual suspects of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be expected to contend at the Australian Open having won the last 10 Grand Slam singles titles between them.
British hopes, meanwhile, will rest on Jack Draper, with the world No 15 looking to build on reaching the semi-finals of the US Open.
But beyond the established names – of which we can also throw in Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz – there may be a real ace in the pack, quite literally.
Mpetshi Perricard recorded 36 aces in his opening win over Nick Kyrgios in Brisbane
France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is a serving machine.
The 21-year-old’s lofty 6ft 8in frame helped him fire down an average of 19 aces a match across the 2024 season, over five more than nearest challenger Hubert Hurkacz (13.4).
Mpetshi Perricard has begun 2025 in a similar vein, unleashing 36 aces in his opening win over Nick Kyrgios in Brisbane, 20 as he saw off Frances Tiafoe, and then 19 against Jakub Mensik.
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Watch highlights as Mpetshi Perricard beat Frances Tiafoe 6-4 7-6 to reach the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International
That dropped to 10 as he was beaten by Djokovic’s conqueror Reilly Opelka in the semi-finals but he certainly made his mark ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, averaging 21.25 aces per match.
Key for Mpetshi Perricard is the small change in pace between his average first-serve speed (135 mph) and his second (123 mph).
How Mpetshi Perricard progressed in 2024
The youngster from Lyon began 2024 ranked 205th in the world and with just two ATP Tour-level victories to his name but ended it up at 31 in the standings and with two ATP Tour titles.
Mpetshi Perricard triumphed on clay in his home city in May, over Tomas Martin Echeverry, to land a maiden ATP 250 trophy
He then went one rung higher by winning a 500 event in October, seeing off fellow big server Ben Shelton on a hard court in Basel.
He also made it to the last 16 at Queen’s and Wimbledon during the grass-court season, earing wins over Shelton and Sebastian Korda.
In his epic five-set victory over Korda at the All England Club, he produced 51 aces and saved all 11 break points he faced.
Mpetshi Perricard celebrates after winning the Basel Open, one of two titles he picked up last season
Is Mpetshi Perricard a future top-five player?
So, why is Mpetshi Perricard’s serve such a dangerous weapon?
One-time world No 4 Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Andy Murray and Coco Gauff, told the ATP Tour’s website: “I think people get a little carried away because you’re tall, that you’re going to have a good serve.
“He has a very repeatable, easy motion, doesn’t have a high ball toss, and it comes very quick out of his hand. It’s a very easy, repeatable motion. I think that gets lost.
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French Wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard edged past Frances Tiafoe during their opening round clash at the Paris Masters.
“He doesn’t leap off the ground that much. His serve doesn’t look that taxing. For a really big guy, he has just a very easy, fluid, relaxed motion. Repeatable. That’s what you see instantly.
“Can he hold [serve] the ridiculous rate that he does against all players and then do it against a [Jannik] Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz?
“If he can then go from 10 per cent breaking to 15, 17 per cent, and maintain where he is at holding serve, he is a top-five player for sure.”
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