Mpetshi Perricard: "To be better, to show that I don't just have a department".
Beaten by Karen Khachanov in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters on Wednesday (6-7, 6-1, 6-4), Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard struggled on his return games. He didn't win a single point on the Russian's serve until the tie-break of the first set.
The Frenchman is fully aware that he can improve in this aspect of his game. In fact, it's one of his main objectives, and one on which he intends to work hard with his coach Emmanuel Planque. This is what he explained after his defeat.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: "I need to be much better at hitting the ball after the return, and find more length to avoid running.
When I'm running, that's when I'm most vulnerable, and I'm putting in less and less intensity, so I'm less and less precise. When you're tall and not precise, it's hard to hit the ball hard.
It's up to me to be better and show that I've got more than just a serve. Or that even if I just have a serve, that it can be even better. [...]
And to be stronger in the game. I'm not a complete player, I'm not a finished player yet. I feel it, my coach feels it. I'm still progressing."