Reilly Opelka has switched to Tecnifibre racquets. He appears to be using a blacked out Tecnifibre TF40 racquet. The new racquet has already paid off for the big American who is coming off from a long break from tennis due to injury.

Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall, Reilly Opelka has established himself as one of tennis’s most formidable servers and an increasingly complete player. The American reached a career-high ranking of World No. 17 in February 2022, marking him as one of the most promising talents in U.S. tennis. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he captured his first ATP title at the New York Open, followed by victories at the 2020 Delray Beach Open and two titles in 2022 at Dallas and Houston.

Reilly Opelka‘s most significant result at a major tournament came at the 2021 US Open, where he reached the fourth round. That same year, he made his first Masters 1000 final in Toronto, defeating world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas along the way – his first victory over a top-5 player.

His junior career was equally impressive, highlighted by winning the 2015 Wimbledon boys’ singles title. Most recently, Opelka made headlines by defeating Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Brisbane International, becoming the first American to beat the Serbian champion in nearly a decade.

Why changing racquets is a challenge for top players

For professional tennis players, changing racquets is one of the most challenging transitions they can face in their careers. This is particularly true for big servers who rely heavily on their signature weapon. The racquet becomes an extension of their arm, with years of muscle memory built around its specific weight, balance, and feel.

When a player switches racquets, they must essentially reprogram their entire service motion to maintain the same level of power and accuracy.The serve is especially sensitive to equipment changes because it’s the only shot in tennis where players have complete control over all variables. The toss, point of contact, and swing path must be perfectly coordinated to generate maximum power and spin.

Even minor differences in racquet specifications can significantly impact serve performance. A change in racquet weight of just a few grams or slight variations in balance point can affect swing speed and timing. For big servers who regularly hit serves over 140 mph, these small changes can mean the difference between an ace and a double fault.

Professional players typically spend months testing new racquets before making a switch. They often start by using the new racquet only in practice while maintaining their trusted frame for matches. This allows them to gradually adapt while preserving their competitive edge. Many players also work with racquet technicians to customize the new frames to match the specifications of their previous racquet as closely as possible, helping ease the transition.

How does Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard hit such huge serves effortlessly? What are the mechanics behind his effective serve?

Technical Mechanics

The key distinguishing features of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s serve include:

• A lower ball toss than conventional serves
• Minimal jumping motion, prioritizing stability and consistency
• Exceptional arm speed generating power without requiring excessive leap height
• The ability to maintain serve quality even when fatigued

Stance and Loading Position

His serve features several unique characteristics:

• A notably wide initial stance separation
• Back foot positioned slightly outside the front foot
• A distinctive corkscrew-like action with the elbow behind the body
• Variable coiling depending on serve direction (deeper coil for ad court, less for deuce court)
• Significant backward bend in the loading position for enhanced power generation

Weight Transfer Dynamics

The weight transfer sequence is crucial to his serve’s effectiveness:

• Initial position with weight fully on the front foot
• Deliberate shift to the back foot, with toe lifting
• Both racket and toss arms pull close to the body
• Weight shifts back to front foot during ball toss
• Back foot slides up to meet front foot during trophy phase

Ball Toss and Contact Point

Perricard utilizes a lower ball toss compared to most players, making contact almost at the apex with minimal drop. This approach complements his fast rhythm and explosive motion. The quick arm action allows him to maintain consistency despite the aggressive serving style, and the low-ish toss enables better timing control.

Power Generation

His power comes from multiple sources:

• Angular momentum from rotating into the ball
• Torso straightening for upward thrust
• Full lag position where the racket freezes momentarily
• Explosive uncoiling from the loaded position
• Quick arm acceleration through contact

His serve regularly reaches speeds of up to 140mph, making it nearly impossible for opponents to read and return effectively. What makes his serve particularly lethal is his ability to deliver second serves with first-serve power, a characteristic that severely impacts opponent morale. His serve quality achieved an exceptional rating of 9.5 out of 10 in 2024, leading all players on tour.

Rise Through the Ranks

Junior Success

Perricard’s tennis journey began with impressive achievements in the junior circuit. His breakthrough came in 2021 when he won the French Open boys’ doubles title partnering with Arthur Fils. He reached a career-high junior ranking of No. 4 in the ITF rankings, demonstrating his early potential.

Professional Progression

After turning professional in 2021, Perricard’s rise has been steady and impressive:

• 2023: Claimed his first Challenger title at the León Open, defeating Juan Pablo Ficovich. Made his ATP Tour debut at the Rosmalen Open and reached his first ATP quarterfinal in Antwerp, helping him break into the top 200.
• 2024: Experienced a remarkable surge in success:
  • Won back-to-back Challenger titles in Mexico
  • Captured his first ATP title in Lyon as a wildcard
  • Made a stunning run to Wimbledon’s fourth round as a lucky loser, notably firing 51 aces in a single match against Sebastian Korda
  • Won the Basel ATP 500 tournament as the lowest-ranked champion in the event’s history
  • Reached a career-high ranking of No. 30 in November 2024

His serving prowess has been particularly evident in his tournament victories. At the Basel Open, he didn’t drop serve once throughout the entire week. His serve statistics are remarkable, averaging 19 aces per match in 2024, double the number of second-ranked Alexander Zverev.

Tennis experts believe Perricard’s potential is enormous. Brad Gilbert notes that if he can improve his return game while maintaining his exceptional serve performance, he could become a top 5 player. Unlike traditional “servebots,” Perricard combines his powerful serve with impressive court movement and an all-around game that makes him a more complete player.

The young Frenchman’s rise represents a new generation of tennis players who are pushing the boundaries of serve mechanics while maintaining the athleticism required for modern tennis. His unique serving technique, combined with his rapid progression through the rankings, suggests that tennis may be witnessing the emergence of a new serving phenomenon who could dominate the sport for years to come.