What is the Fastest Tennis Serve Ever Recorded?

The serve is the most important shot in tennis. It is the only moment in a match where a player has total control over the ball, and at the professional level, it has become a high-velocity weapon.

While the “Big Three” (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) proved that placement and spin are vital, there is an undeniable fascination with raw power. Fans want to know: Who hit the fastest tennis serve ever recorded?

Quick Answers: Tennis Serve Records FAQ

What is the fastest tennis serve ever?

The fastest recorded tennis serve is 163.7 mph (263.4 km/h), hit by Australian Sam Groth in 2012. However, because it occurred at a Challenger event, the ATP’s official record is held by John Isner at 157.2 mph (253 km/h).

The Evolution of Speed: From Wood to Graphite

The quest for the 150 mph serve didn’t happen overnight. It was driven by a massive leap in technology during the mid-to-late 1970s.

The Era of Wood Rackets (1870s – 1970s)

Until the mid-70s, wood was the only material used for rackets. These frames were heavy, had small head sizes (65 to 85 square inches), and featured a tiny “sweet spot.” If you didn’t hit the ball perfectly, the power would dissipate.

The Graphite Revolution

In the mid-1970s, graphite technology transformed the game. Manufacturers could suddenly create rackets that were both lightweight and incredibly strong.

• Larger Head Sizes: Rackets grew to 95–130 square inches, dramatically increasing the sweet spot.
• The Velocity Gap: Research presented at a 2010 ITF conference noted that modern rackets allow players to serve 17.5% (roughly 21.8 mph) faster than the wooden rackets used for over a century.

By the mid-1980s, the “Big Server” became a staple of the professional tour, changing tennis from a game of touch to a game of high-speed tactical strikes.

The Record Holders: Official vs. Unofficial

The record for the fastest tennis serve is a bit of a “split decision.” While one player holds the numerical record, another holds the official title recognized by the ATP.

The Unofficial Record: Sam Groth (163.7 mph)

On May 9, 2012, Australian powerhouse Sam Groth unleashed a serve clocked at a blistering 163.7 mph (263.4 km/h) at a Challenger event in Busan, South Korea.

While the serve was measured using ATP-approved technology, the ATP does not officially recognize it because it occurred at the Challenger level rather than a main-tour ATP event or Grand Slam.

The Official Record: John Isner (157.2 mph)

The official ATP record belongs to American giant John Isner. During a 2016 Davis Cup match, Isner hammered a serve at 157.2 mph (253 km/h). Isner’s record is the “gold standard” because it occurred during top-tier international competition.

Top 10 Fastest Men’s Tennis Serves Ever

Rank	Player	Speed (mph / km/h)	Event
1	Sam Groth	163.7 mph (263.4 km/h)	2012 Busan Open
2	Albano Olivetti	160.0 mph (257.5 km/h)	2012 Bergamo
3	John Isner	157.2 mph (253.0 km/h)	2016 Davis Cup
4	Ivo Karlovic	156.0 mph (251.0 km/h)	2011 Davis Cup
4	Jerzy Janowicz	156.0 mph (251.0 km/h)	2012 Pekao Szczecin
6	Milos Raonic	155.3 mph (249.9 km/h)	2012 SAP Open
7	Andy Roddick	155.0 mph (249.4 km/h)	2004 Davis Cup
8	Chris Guccione	154.1 mph (248.0 km/h)	2006 Davis Cup
9	Joachim Johansson	152.0 mph (244.6 km/h)	2004 Davis Cup
9	Feliciano Lopez	152.0 mph (244.6 km/h)	2014 Aegon Champs
9	G. Mpetshi Perricard	152.0 mph (244.6 km/h)	2023 French Open

Top 10 Fastest Women’s Tennis Serves Ever

The women’s game has seen a massive surge in power. While Georgina Garcia Perez holds the unofficial crown, the WTA officially recognizes Sabine Lisicki’s 131 mph serve as the record because it occurred in a main-draw match.

Rank	Player	Speed (mph / km/h)	Event
1	Georgina Garcia Perez	136.7 mph (220.0 km/h)	2018 Hungarian Open
2	Aryna Sabalenka	133.0 mph (214.0 km/h)	2018 WTA Elite Trophy
3	Sabine Lisicki	131.0 mph (210.8 km/h)	2014 Stanford
4	Venus Williams	129.0 mph (207.6 km/h)	2007 US Open
4	Alycia Parks	129.0 mph (207.6 km/h)	2021 US Open
6	Serena Williams	128.6 mph (207.0 km/h)	2013 Australian Open
7	Coco Gauff	128.0 mph (206.0 km/h)	2022 US Open
7	Liudmila Samsonova	128.0 mph (206.0 km/h)	2025 Wimbledon
9	Naomi Osaka	127.4 mph (205.0 km/h)	2024 Abu Dhabi Open
10	Elena Rybakina	126.8 mph (204.0 km/h)	2024 Abu Dhabi Open

Does the Highest Serve Speed Mean the Most Titles?

If speed were the only factor in winning, the world rankings would look exactly like the tables above. However, most of the consistent Grand Slam winners—with a few exceptions—don’t appear in the top 10 for raw speed.

Precision Over Power

The modern era’s greatest champions often prioritize placement and variety over sheer velocity.

• Roger Federer: His average speed was around 120 mph. He famously noted that accuracy and hitting all four corners were more important than serving at 100% power.
• Rafael Nadal: Under Toni Nadal’s guidance, the focus was tactical. Toni once remarked: “It was almost better not to serve too fast,” to ensure they weren’t giving the opponent more pace to work with on the return.

The evidence is clear: while a 150+ mph serve is an awe-inspiring feat, the players who lift the trophies are those who can mix that speed with impeccable placement.

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