Novak Djokovic’s usual suspects Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be expected to clash at the Australian Open having won the last 10 Grand Slam titles between them.
Britain’s hopes, meanwhile, will rest on Jack Draper, with the world number 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 could be a real ace in the pack, literally.
France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is a serving machine.
The 21-year-old’s towering 6ft 8in frame helped him average 19 aces per match during the 2024 season, over five more than nearest challenger Hubert Hurkacz (13.4).
Mpetshi Perricard has started 2025 in similar fashion, unleashing 36 aces in his opening win over Nick Kyrgios in Brisbane, 20 when beating 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 Brisbane International quarter-finals
That fell to 10 after 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.
The key for Mpetshi Perricard is the slight difference in pace between his average first serve speed (135 mph) and second serve (123 mph).
How Mpetshi Perricard fared in 2024
The youngster from Lyon started 2024 ranked 205th in the world and with just two ATP Tour level wins, but ended it ranked 31st and with two ATP Tour titles.
Mpetshi Perricard triumphed on clay in his hometown in May over Tomas Martin Echeverry to win a first ATP 250 trophy
He then went up a notch by winning a 500 event in October, seeing off his big server Ben Shelton on a tough field in Basel.
He also reached the last 16 at Queen’s and Wimbledon during the grass court season, earning wins over Shelton and Sebastian Korda.
In his epic five-set win 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 won last season
Is Mpetshi Perricard a future top-five player?
So why is Mpetshi Perricard’s service such a dangerous weapon?
Former world No.4 Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Andy Murray and Coco Gauff, told the ATP Tour website: “I think people are a bit upset because you’re tall, that you’re going to have a good serve. .
“He has a very repeatable, easy swing, he doesn’t have a high shot and it comes out of his hand very quickly. It’s a very easy, repeatable swing. I think that gets lost.
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French Wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard cruised past Frances Tiafoe during their opening round clash at the Paris Masters.
“He doesn’t bounce off the ground as much. His serve doesn’t look that hard. For a really big guy, he just has a very easy, fluid, relaxed swing. Repeatable. That’s what you see right away.
“Can he maintain (serve) the ridiculous rate he does against all players and then do it against a (Jannik) Sinner or (Carlos) Alcaraz?
“If he can go from 10 percent breaking to 15, 17 percent, and maintain where he is on serve, he’s definitely a top-five player.”
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