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World’s Male And Female Fastest Tennis Serves

John Isner

Having a fast serve in Tennis might not be crucial to success but does give you a squeak of a chance against a more dynamic tennis opponent. Here is the list of the top 10 tennis serves delivered by male and female athletes.

Top 10 Fastest Male Tennis Serve Ever Recorded

RankNameAgeCountrySpeedEvent
1John Isner39USA157.2 mphDavis Cup 2016
2Ivo Karlovic45HRV156.0 mphDavis Cup 2011
3Andy Roddick42USA155.0 mphDavis Cup 2004
4Milos Raonic33CAN155.0 mphRogers Cup 2012
5Ryan Harrison32USA152.0 mphSouthern Open 2013
6Feliciano Lopez43ESP152.0 mphAegon Championships 2014
7Marius Copil33ROU151.6 mphEuropean Open 2016
8Hubert Hurkacz27POL151.0 mphDavis Cup 2016
9Taylor Dent43USA149.8 mphSAP Open 2010
10Juan Martin Del Potro36ARG149.1 mphStockholm Open 2017

Who Delivered the Fastest Tennis Serve Ever?

In his esteemed tennis career, John Isner entertained us with plenty of serving miracles. Being regarded as the fastest server in tennis history, Isner has clocked the 150 mph mark on several occasions.

Although his most promising tennis serve came during the 2016 Davis Cup. In the prestigious international tournament, Isner delivered a serve at 253 km/h making it a new world record fastest male tennis serve that is still to this day unbeaten.  

The fastest tennis serve ever took place during a match between the United States and Australia. John Isner was part of the American team that competed in the Davis Cup 2016. 

On the receiving end was Australian tennis player Nicolas Mahut who couldn’t even get close to the ball. The serve went for an ace.

The United State eventually won the match and was promoted to the Quater finals where they faced dominant Croatia.

Top 10 Fastest Female Tennis Serve Ever Recorded

RankNameAgeCountrySpeedEvent
1Sabine Lisicki35DEU131.0 mphStanford Classic 2014
2Venus Williams44USA129.0 mph2007 US Open
3Serena Williams43USA128.6 mphAustralian Open 2013
4Julia Goerges35DEU126.1 mphFrench Open 2012
5Brenda Schultz-McCarthy53NLD126.0 mphIndian Wells Masters 2007
6Nadiia Kichenok32UKR125.5 mphAustralian Open 2014
7Naomi Osaka &Lucie Hradecka26 &39JPN&CZE125.0 mphUS Open 2016&Wimbledon2015
8Anna-Lena Groenefeld39DEU125.0 mphIndian Wells Masters 2009
9Ana Ivanovic36SRB124.9 mphFrench Open 2007
10Kristina Mladenovic31FRA124.3 mphFrench Open 2009

The fastest female tennis server on record is currently held by Sabine Lisicki of Germany, who hit a serve at 131 mph (211 km/h) during the 2014 Bank of the West Classic tournament in Stanford, California, against Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic. This is the fastest serve ever recorded by a woman in professional tennis.

Lisicki had a promising tennis career but unfortunate injuries set her back from winning more silverware.

General Facts About Tennis Serve

Tennis serves are an essential part of the game and are used to start each point. A good serve can give a player an advantage in the game, while a bad serve can put them on the defensive. Here is some general information about tennis serves:

  • Types of serves: There are four types of tennis serves: the flat serve, the slice serve, the kick serve, and the topspin serve. Each type of service has a different trajectory and spin, making them effective in different situations.
  • Serving position: A player must stand behind the baseline and between the center and sideline of the court while serving. The player’s feet must not touch the baseline or the court before the serve.
  • Service motion: A player must use an underhand or overhand motion to hit the ball on the serve. The player must toss the ball into the air with their non-racket hand and hit it with their racket hand.
  • Faults: A serve is considered a fault if it hits the net, goes outside the service box, or does not land in the opponent’s service box. A player is allowed two faults per serve, and if they commit a third fault, they lose the point.
  • Importance: The serve is a crucial shot in tennis because it sets the tone for the point. A strong serve can give a player an advantage, while a weak serve can put them on the defensive.
  • Speed and spin: Professional players can hit their serves at speeds of over 140 mph (225 kph). They can also generate various spins, such as topspin, slice, and kick, to make it difficult for their opponents to return the serve.
  • Strategies: Players can use various strategies when serving, such as aiming for the corners of the service box, varying the speed and spin of their serves, or hitting their opponent’s weaker side.

Overall, the tennis serve is an essential aspect of the game, and mastering it can give a player a significant advantage.

John Isner Serve

What is the Average Serve Speed for Men and Women in Tennis?

The average tennis serve speed varies depending on a variety of factors such as player skill level, age, and physical fitness. However, here are some general statistics regarding the average tennis serve speed for men and women at the professional level:

How fast is a tennis serve for Men?

For men, the average serve speed for men is around 120-130 miles per hour (193-209 kilometers per hour). 

How fast is a tennis serve for Women?

For women, the average service speed for women is around 100-110 miles per hour (161-177 kilometers per hour). 

It’s important to note that these speeds are at the professional level and can vary widely for non-professional players. Additionally, there are variations between individual players and their playing styles.

Ivo Karlovic

Factors that Can Affect the Speed of a Serve

There are several factors that can affect the speed of a tennis serve.

  • Proper technique is essential for generating maximum power and speed on a serve. Players must have the correct grip, stance, and follow-through to produce an effective serve.
  • Stronger and more conditioned players are generally able to generate more power and speed on their serves.
  • The type of racket, strings, and balls used can all affect the speed of a serve.
  • Players who are focused and confident are more likely to produce a fast and effective serve than those who are anxious or distracted.
  • Players who are injured or fatigued may not be able to generate as much power on their serve, resulting in slower speeds.
  • The speed of the court and the weather conditions like wind, can affect how the ball travels through the air and impact the speed of a serve.

Conclusion

Tennis serves alone might not make a top-tier tennis star but does make a dominant athlete who uses their serving strength to scare off opponents. And they make for a pretty decent fanbase as well.

Hi there! I'm Jake Steinberg, a passionate sports journalist with a knack for diving deep into the stories of inspiring sportsmen and sportswomen. Every athlete has a tale, and it's my mission to bring theirs to light. Join me on this journey through the highs and lows of the sporting world!

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