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Culture July 1, 2025

Taylor Fritz returns fastest serve in opening match at Wimbledon

WATCH: Americans bring the heat at Wimbledon 

American tennis star Taylor Fritz is off to a strong start at The Championships, securing his first win on the iconic grass court after returning the fastest serve ever recorded at Wimbledon.

New Wimbledon record with 153 mph serve

PHOTO: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France serves against Taylor Fritz of U.S. during their Gentlemen's Singles first round Wimbledon match, June 30, 2025 in London.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France serves against Taylor Fritz of U.S. during their Gentlemen's Singles first round Wimbledon match, June 30, 2025 in London.

The U.S. Open runner-up returned a top-speed serve at 153 mph off unranked Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening game of their match Monday.

The World No. 5 men's singles player not only returned the new record-setting serve, but controlled the rally to win the point.

Taylor Fritz returns a shot from unranked French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during the Men's Singles First Round match on day one of The Championships Wimbledon 2025.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Taylor Fritz returns a shot from unranked French tennis player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during the Men's Singles First Round match on day one of The Championships Wimbledon 2025.

Perricard's record breaks the previous mark that American Taylor Dent set with his 148-mph serve in 2010, ESPN first reported.

The pair's match was postponed at 10:20 p.m. local time until Tuesday, shortly after Fritz battled back from two sets down to force a decisive fifth set following his tiebreak win in the fourth.

PHOTO: Taylor Fritz reacts to the decision to suspend play during the Gentlemen's Singles first round of Wimbledon in London.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Taylor Fritz reacts to the decision to suspend play during the Gentlemen's Singles first round of Wimbledon in London.

The crowd audibly criticized the umpire's ruling, booing the decision and announcement that they would suspend play for the late time, which was nearing Wimbledon's 11 p.m. curfew.

Taylor Fritz wins delayed Wimbledon opening match

He had to wait for it, but that first round win meant everything to Taylor Fritz 👏#Wimbledon | @Taylor_Fritz97 pic.twitter.com/SEN6wxtOYd

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025

On Tuesday, Fritz and Perricard resumed on Court No. 1.

The 27-year-old San Diego native controlled the final set 6 games to 4 for his first win of the tournament.

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