Tennis serves are a very important part of the game, and over the years, many players have delivered groundbreaking serves. If you’re a tennis player looking to up your game by tracking your progress with that of star players, it’s a good idea to know the top 10 fastest serves in tennis history. And if you’re just a fan of mind-blowing sports history, you’ll find the top 10 fastest serves in tennis history thrilling!
The Top 10 Fastest Serves In Tennis History
This list got tricky because of the differences between what happened and what is officially recorded. In any case, here are the top 10 fastest serves in tennis history:
- Sam Groth – 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph)
- Albano Oliveti – 257.5 km/h (160.0 mph)
- John Isner – 253.0 km/h (157.2 mph)
- Ivo Karlovic – 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph)
- Jerzy Janowicz – 251 km/h (156 mph)
- Milos Raonic – 250 km/h (155.3 mph)
- Feliciano Lopez – 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph)
- Marius Copil – 244.0 km/h (151.6 mph)
- Andy Roddick – 249.4 km/h (155.0 mph)
- Taylor Dent – 241.1 km/h (149.8 mph)
Now, here are a few details about each serve:
1. Sam Groth
The Australian powerhouse holds the record for the fastest serve ever recorded, achieved at the 2012 Busan Open Challenger in South Korea. It was a groundbreaking serve at 263.4 km/h (163.7 mph). However, sadly, this feat is not recognized by the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) because of serve-speed gun standards at challenger events.
2. Albano Olivetti
This Frenchman may not be a household name, but his monster serve at the 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip Challenger in Italy is one of the fastest in history. Throwing a serve at 257.5 km/h (160.0 mph), he made the second-fattest serve in tennis history.
3. John Isner
Known for his booming serves, Isner released this rocket serve of 253.0 km/h (157.2 mph)
at the 2016 Davis Cup while playing for the United States. His height (6’10”) gives him a natural advantage in generating power.
4. Ivo Karlović
The Croatian giant has long been one of the most feared servers in tennis. He hit this blazing serve of 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph) at the 2011 Davis Cup.
5. Jerzy Janowicz
The Polish player made a name for himself with his massive serve of 251 km/h (156 mph), hitting one of the fastest ever recorded at the 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open.
6. Milos Raonic
The Canadian star fired a thunderous serve of 250 km/h (155.3 mph) at the 2012 SAP Open. His serve was a major weapon throughout his career.
7. Feliciano Lopez
The Spanish left-hander, known for his elegant playing style, surprised many with a thunderous serve clocked at 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph). This remarkable feat occurred at the 2014 Aegon Championships, proving that López could bring serious firepower alongside his finesse and net skills.
8. Marius Copil
The Romanian big-server made his mark with an explosive 244.0 km/h (151.6 mph) serve, recorded during the 2016 European Open. Copil may not have reached the highest ranks in tennis, but his ability to generate immense power on his serve showcased his potential as a formidable force on the court.
9. Andy Roddick
One of the most dominant servers in his prime, Roddick’s fastest serve came at the 2004 Davis Cup against Belarus. He consistently relied on his serve to overpower opponents. He made this fastest serve record at 249.4 km/h (155.0 mph).
10. Taylor Dent
An aggressive serve-and-volley player, Taylor Dent reached his record speed at the 2006 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, proving his ability to mix power with precision. He released a massive 241.1 km/h (149.8 mph) serve at that event.
Conclusion
The serve remains one of the most important aspects of tennis, and these players have pushed the limits of speed and power. While accuracy and placement are key to a great serve, these lightning-fast deliveries prove that sheer velocity can be a game-changer. Will we see a new record broken in the coming years? Only time will tell!
