Tennis is a sport that requires a combination of skill, technique, power, and precision. One of the most important aspects of the game is the serve, which is the first shot of every point and can set the tone for the rally. A good serve can give the server an advantage over the opponent, while a bad serve can result in a loss of the point or even the game.
One of the ways to measure the quality of a serve is by its speed. A fast serve can be hard to return, especially if it is also accurate and consistent. A fast serve can also intimidate the opponent and boost the server’s confidence. However, speed is not everything, as a fast serve can also be erratic, predictable, or ineffective if it lacks spin, placement, or variation.
Today, we will look at the top 11 fastest tennis serves ever recorded in official matches, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). We will also provide some background information on each player and the context of their record-breaking serve. Note that some of these serves are not recognized by the ATP, as they were made in non-ATP events or before the introduction of the electronic speed measurement system in 1991. However, we will include them for completeness and comparison purposes.
11. Marius Copil – 244.0 km/h (151.6 mph)
Marius Copil is a Romanian tennis player who turned professional in 2008. As of November 2023, He is currently ranked 328th in the world and has reached two ATP finals in his career, both in 2018. He is known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game.
Copil hit his fastest serve ever in the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Open in Antwerp, Belgium. He was playing against the third seed David Goffin, who is also from Belgium.
Copil unleashed a 244.0 km/h (151.6 mph) serve in the first set, which Goffin managed to return but lost the point. Copil won the first set 7-6, but lost the next two sets 6-1, 6-3, and the match.
10. Feliciano López – 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph)
Feliciano López is a Spanish tennis player who turned professional in 1997. He is currently ranked 460th in the world and has won seven ATP titles in his career, including the 2019 Queen’s Club Championships.
He is one of the few players who still use a one-handed backhand and has a versatile game that adapts well to different surfaces.
López hit his fastest serve ever in the first round of the 2014 Aegon Championships in London, England.
He was playing against the Australian qualifier James Duckworth.
López fired a 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph) serve in the second set, which Duckworth could not return. López won the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
9. Joachim Johansson – 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph)
Joachim Johansson is a Swedish former tennis player who turned professional in 2000 and retired in 2011. He reached a career-high ranking of 9th in the world in 2005 and won three ATP titles in his career.
He was nicknamed “Pim-Pim” and had a powerful serve and forehand.
Johansson hit his fastest serve ever in the first round of the 2004 Davis Cup in Malmö, Sweden.
He was playing in the doubles match with Thomas Johansson against the Australian pair of Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs. Johansson blasted a 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph) serve in the third set, which Woodbridge could not handle. However, the Swedish duo lost the match in four sets, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
This serve is not recognized by the ATP, as it was made in a non-ATP event.
8. Chris Guccione – 248.0 km/h (154.1 mph)
Chris Guccione is an Australian former tennis player who turned professional in 2003 and retired in 2019.
He reached a career-high ranking of 67th in the world in 2008 and won five ATP titles in his career, in doubles ultimately reaching doubles world No. 38 in November 2014. He was nicknamed “Gooch” and had a towering height of 6’7″ and a booming serve.
Chris Guccione served a 248 km/h (154.1 mph) serve in 2006 while representing his country against Switzerland at the Davis Cup. This serve is the eighth-fastest serve ever recorded in tennis.
This serve is not recognized by the ATP, as it was made in a non-ATP event.
7. Andy Roddick – 249.4 km/h (155 mph)
Andy Roddick is an American former tennis player who turned professional in 2000 and retired in 2012.
He reached a career-high ranking of 1st in the world in 2003 and won 32 ATP titles in his career, including the 2003 US Open. He was known for his fierce serve and forehand and his competitive spirit.
Andy Roddick’s fastest recorded serve was 249.4 km/h (155 mph), which he achieved during the 2004 Davis Cup. He was playing against Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus in the semifinal of the event.
6. Milos Raonic – 249.9 km/h (155.3 mph)
Milos Raonic is a Canadian tennis player who turned professional in 2008. As of November 2023, He is currently ranked 318th in the world and has won eight ATP titles in his career.
He is one of the best servers in the game and has a strong baseline game with a powerful forehand and backhand.
Raonic hit his fastest serve ever in the second round of the 2012 SAP Open in San Jose, USA. He was playing against the American qualifier Michael Russell.
Raonic fired a 249.9 km/h (155.3 mph) serve in the first set, which Russell could not handle. Raonic won the match in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
5. Jerzy Janowicz – 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph)
Jerzy Janowicz is a Polish tennis player who turned professional in 2007. He is currently ranked 500th in the world and has reached one ATP final in his career, at the 2012 Paris Masters.
He is known for his explosive serve and forehand and his unpredictable style of play.
Jerzy Janowicz’s fastest serve was recorded at the 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open, where he reached a speed of 251.1 km/h (156 mph).
This serve is not recognized by the ATP, as it was made in a non-ATP event.
4. Ivo Karlovic – 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph)
Ivo Karlovic is a Croatian tennis player who turned professional in 2000.
He is currently ranked 494th in the world and has won eight ATP titles in his career.
He is the tallest player ever to play on the ATP Tour, at 6’11″, and has the most aces in history, with over 13,000. He is widely regarded as the best server of all time and has a solid volley game.
Karlovic hit his fastest serve ever in the first round of the 2011 Davis Cup in Zagreb, Croatia. He was playing in the doubles match with Ivan Dodig against the German pair of Christopher Kas and Philipp Petzschner.
Karlovic blasted a 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph) serve in the second set, which Kas could not touch. The Croatian duo, however, lost the match in five sets, 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
3. John Isner – 253.0 km/h (157.2 mph)
John Isner is an American tennis player who is known for his powerful serve.
John Isner holds the record for hitting the ATP’s fastest “official” serve ever and third-fastest on record in tennis at 253.0 km/h (157.2 mph) during his first-round 2016 Davis Cup match against Bernard Tomic of Australia.
This serve surpassed his previous record of 249.4 km/h (155 mph) that he hit at the 2014 Western & Southern Open.
Isner’s serve is a combination of his height, technique, and timing. He is 6’10″ (208 cm) tall, which gives him a high contact point and a steep angle to hit the ball.
He also uses a continental grip, a fluid motion, and a strong wrist snap to generate speed and spin.
He usually aims for the corners of the service box, making it difficult for his opponents to return his serve. He often follows his serve with a powerful forehand or a volley to finish the point.
Isner’s serve is one of his biggest weapons and has helped him win 15 ATP singles titles and reach the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2018.
He is also the co-holder of the record for the longest tennis match in history, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships.
2. Albano Olivetti – 257.5 km/h (160.0 mph)
Albano Olivetti is a French tennis player who turned professional in 2010. He is known for his massive serve and his imposing physique, at 6’8″ and 250 lbs.
Olivetti hit his fastest serve ever in the first round of the 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip in Bergamo, Italy. He was playing against the Italian Daniele Giorgini. Olivetti smashed a 257.5 km/h (160.0 mph) serve in the first set, which Giorgini could not return. Olivetti won the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.
This serve is not recognized by the ATP, as it was made in a non-ATP event.
1. Sam Groth – 263.0 km/h (163.4 mph)
Sam Groth is an Australian former tennis player who turned professional in 2006 and retired in 2018. He reached a career-high ranking of 53rd in the world in 2015 and won one ATP title in his career, in doubles. He holds the record for the fastest serve ever recorded in a professional tennis match, at 263.0 km/h (163.4 mph).
On May 9, 2012, in Busan, South Korea, Sam Groth hit the world’s fastest serve at 163.7 mph (263.4 kph) during his second-round Challenger match at the Busan Open against Uladzimir Ignatik from Belarus, in which Groth lost 4-6, 3-6.
This remarkable achievement, although not officially recognized by the ATP due to variance in radar guns at challenger events, remains a significant feat in tennis history
We have seen the top fastest tennis serves ever recorded in official matches, according to the ATP. We have also learned some facts about each player and the context of their record-breaking serve. We have observed that speed is not the only factor that determines the effectiveness of a serve, as some of these players have not achieved much success in their careers, while some others have been more consistent and versatile. We have also noticed that some of these serves are not recognized by the ATP, as they were made in non-ATP events or before the electronic speed measurement system was introduced.