There is no doubt that one of the biggest weapons in any tennis player’s game is the serve and while the best tennis serves use a combination of power and precision, it’s clear that having one of the fastest serves in tennis can make the game seem a lot easier than it is.
In this article we’ve put together a list of the fastest tennis serves recorded on the men’s and women’s professional tours and the top serving speeds of some of the most popular tennis players.
What is the Average Tennis Serve Speed?
To give a bit of context, the average speed of a first serve in tennis is usually around the 190-200 km/h or 120 mph mark in men’s professional tennis and around the 170-180 km/h or 105 mph mark in women’s professional tennis.
What is the fastest tennis serve ever recorded?
The fastest tennis serve ever recorded was hit by Australian player Sam Groth in Busan, South Korea in 2012, clocking in at a whopping 263.4 km/h or 163.7 mph.
However, given the fact that the serve was recorded at a ITF Challenger level event, the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) does not officially recognise it as the fastest serve due to a lack of uniformity in the calibration of the serve speed tracking equipment.
As such, American John Isner holds the ATP’s official record for the fastest serve at 253 km/h or 157.2 mph hit during the 2016 Davis Cup.
Nevertheless, Sam Groth has proven his serving ability even on the largest of stages, such as the time he hit a 147 mph ace past Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2015. Check it out in the video below:
The Fastest Men's Tennis Serves
Here is a list of the fastest serves in men’s tennis recorded to date. Please keep in mind that each player has only been included once on the list with their fastest recorded serve.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Speed | Event |
| 1 | Sam Groth | Australia | 263.0 km/h (163.4 mph) | 2012 Busan Open Challenger Tennis |
| 2 | Albano Olivetti | France | 257.5 km/h (160.0 mph) | 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip |
| 3 | John Isner | United States | 253.0 km/h (157.2 mph) | 2016 Davis Cup |
| 4 | Jerzy Janowicz | Poland | 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph) | 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open |
| 4 | Ivo Karlović | Croatia | 251.0 km/h (156.0 mph) | 2011 Davis Cup |
| 6 | Milos Raonic | Canada | 249.9 km/h (155.3 mph) | 2012 SAP Open |
| 7 | Andy Roddick | United States | 249.4 km/h (155.0 mph) | 2004 Davis Cup |
| 8 | Feliciano López | Spain | 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph) | 2014 Aegon Championships |
| 8 | Joachim Johansson | Sweden | 244.6 km/h (152.0 mph) | 2004 Davis Cup |
| 10 | Marius Copil | Romania | 244.0 km/h (151.6 mph) | 2016 European Open |
| 11 | Oscar Otte | Germany | 243.0 km/h (151.0 mph) | 2021 US Open |
| 11 | Hubert Hurkacz | Poland | 243.0 km/h (151.0 mph) | 2016 Davis Cup |
| 13 | Taylor Dent | United States | 241.0 km/h (149.8 mph) | 2006 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament |
| 14 | Reilly Opelka | United States | 240.3 km/h (149.3 mph) | 2021 Australian Open |
| 15 | Juan Martín del Potro | Argentina | 240.0 km/h (149.1 mph) | 2017 Stockholm Open |
| 16 | Ben Shelton | United States | 239.8 km/h (149.0 mph) | 2023 US Open |
| 17 | Greg Rusedski | United Kingdom | 239.8 km/h (149.0 mph) | 1998 Newsweek Champions Cup |
| 18 | Bernabe Zapata Miralles | Spain | 237.0 km/h (147.3 mph) | 2022 Monte Carlo Masters (Q) |
| 18 | Taylor Fritz | United States | 237.0 km/h (147.3 mph) | 2020 US Open |
| 18 | Frances Tiafoe | United States | 237.0 km/h (147.3 mph) | 2018 Estoril Open |
| 18 | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | France | 237.0 km/h (147.3 mph) | 2014 Rogers Cup |
| 18 | Dmitry Tursunov | Russia | 237.0 km/h (147.3 mph) | 2006 Davis Cup |
| 23 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 236.6 km/h (147.0 mph) | 2021 Indian Wells Masters |
| 24 | Fernando González | Chile | 236.0 km/h (146.6 mph) | 2007 Italian Open |
| 25 | Matteo Berrettini | Italy | 235.0 km/h (146.0 mph) | 2021 Madrid Masters |
| 25 | Marin Čilić | Croatia | 235.0 km/h (146.0 mph) | 2016 Davis Cup |
| 25 | Dušan Vemić | Serbia | 235.0 km/h (146.0 mph) | 2008 Countrywide Classic |
| 25 | Gaël Monfils | France | 235.0 km/h (146.0 mph) | 2007 Legg Mason Tennis Classic |
| 29 | Stan Wawrinka | Switzerland | 234.0 km/h (145.4 mph) | 2014 Davis Cup |
| 29 | Ričardas Berankis | Lithuania | 234.0 km/h (145.4 mph) | 2011 Open d’Orléans |
| 29 | Ivan Ljubičić | Croatia | 234.0 km/h (145.4 mph) | 2005 Madrid Masters |
| 32 | Viktor Troicki | Serbia | 233.4 km/h (145.0 mph) | 2017 Davis Cup |
| 32 | Grigor Dimitrov | Bulgaria | 233.4 km/h (145.0 mph) | 2013 Aegon Championships |
| 32 | Andy Murray | Great Britain | 233.4 km/h (145.0 mph) | 2007 SAP Open |
| 35 | Nicolás Jarry | Chile | 233.0 km/h (144.8 mph) | 2018 Davis Cup |
| 36 | Dominic Thiem | Austria | 232.0 km/h (144.2 mph) | 2017 Gerry Weber Open |
| 36 | Fernando Verdasco | Spain | 232.0 km/h (144.2 mph) | 2009 French Open |
| 38 | Marcin Matkowski | Poland | 231.7 km/h (144 mph) | 2009 ATP World Tour Finals |
| 38 | Mardy Fish | United States | 231.7 km/h (144 mph) | 2007 Pacific Life Open |
| 40 | Robin Söderling | Sweden | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2010 ATP World Tour Finals |
| 40 | Alexander Bublik | Kazakhstan | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2022 Indian Wells |
| 40 | Nick Kyrgios | Australia | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2019 Wimbledon |
| 40 | Nikoloz Basilashvili | Georgia | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2017 Wimbledon |
| 40 | Jiří Veselý | Czech Republic | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2014 Wimbledon |
| 40 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) | 2010 Gerry Weber Open |
| 46 | Laslo Djere | Serbia | 230.0 km/h (142.9 mph) | 2022 Italian Open |
| 46 | Mats Rosenkranz | Germany | 230.0 km/h (142.9 mph) | 2022 Mallorca |
| 46 | Nicolás Almagro | Spain | 230.0 km/h (142.9 mph) | 2016 Argentina Open |
| 46 | Martin Verkerk | Netherlands | 230.0 km/h (142.9 mph) | 2003 Breil Milano Indoor |
The Fastest Women's Tennis Serves
The fastest female tennis serve was recorded by Spanish player Georgina Garcia Perez when she hit a 220 km/h or 136.7 mph serve in the 2nd round of qualifying at the 2018 Hungarian Ladies Open.
However, the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) does not recognise this as the fastest serve as it was not recorded at a main draw level of a WTA event. The record for fastest female tennis serve officially recognised by the WTA is held by Sabine Lisicki of Germany for a 210.8 km/h or 131 mph serve hit at the 2014 Stanford Classic. Check a video of it out below:
Here is a list of the fastest female tennis serves recorded to date. Once again, please note that each player has only been included once with their single fastest recorded serve.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Speed | Event |
| 1 | Georgina Garcia Pérez | Spain | 220.0 km/h (136.7 mph) | 2018 Hungarian Ladies Open |
| 2 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | 214.0 km/h (133.0 mph) | 2018 WTA Elite Trophy |
| 3 | Sabine Lisicki | Germany | 210.8 km/h (131.0 mph) | 2014 Stanford Classic |
| 4 | Alycia Parks | United States | 209.2 km/h (130.0 mph) | 2023 Birmingham Classic |
| 4 | Brenda Schultz-McCarthy | Netherlands | 209.2 km/h (130.0 mph) | 2006 Cincinnati Masters (qualifiers) |
| 5 | Venus Williams | United States | 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph) | 2007 US Open |
| 5 | Ajla Tomljanović | Australia | 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph) | 2018 Cincinnati Masters |
| 8 | Serena Williams | United States | 207.0 km/h (128.6 mph) | 2013 Australian Open |
| 8 | Ivana Jorović | Serbia | 207.0 km/h (128.6 mph) | 2017 Fed Cup |
| 10 | Coco Gauff | United States | 206.0 km/h (128.0 mph) | 2022 US Open |
| 11 | Julia Görges | Germany | 203.0 km/h (126.1 mph) | 2012 French Open |
| 11 | Caroline Garcia | France | 203.0 km/h (126.1 mph) | 2016 Fed Cup |
| 14 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | 202.0 km/h (125.5 mph) | 2022 BJK Cup Finals |
| 14 | Nadiya Kichenok | Ukraine | 202.0 km/h (125.5 mph) | 2014 Australian Open |
| 16 | Lucie Hradecká | Czech Republic | 201.2 km/h (125.0 mph) | 2015 Wimbledon |
| 16 | Naomi Osaka | Japan | 201.2 km/h (125.0 mph) | 2016 US Open |
| 18 | Anna-Lena Grönefeld | Germany | 201.1 km/h (125.0 mph) | 2009 Indian Wells Masters |
| 19 | Ana Ivanovic | Serbia | 201.0 km/h (124.9 mph) | 2007 French Open |
| 19 | Denisa Allertová | Czech Republic | 201.0 km/h (124.9 mph) | 2015 Australian Open |
| 19 | Bernarda Pera | United States | 201.0 km/h (124.9 mph) | 2021 US Open |
| 19 | Liudmila Samsonova | Russia | 201.0 km/h (124.9 mph) | 2023 Dubai Championships |
| 23 | Kristina Mladenovic | France | 200.0 km/h (124.3 mph) | 2009 French Open |
Fastest Second Serves in Tennis
A few select players have hit second serves faster than most tennis players can hit on their first serves. Unfortunately though, there is very little data collected on second serve speeds in tennis, so we can’t exactly give you a very detailed list of the fastest second serves. That being said, here are of a few of the fastest second serves that have been recorded:
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Second Serve Speed | Event | Opponent |
| 1 | Ivo Karlović | Croatia | 232 km/h (144.2 mph) | QF 2007 Legg Mason Tennis Classic | Paul Capdeville |
| 2 | Ben Shelton | USA | 230 km/h (143 mph) | SF 2023 US Open | Novak Djokovic |
| 2 | Nick Kyrgios | Australia | 230 km/h (143 mph) | 2nd Round 2019 Wimbledon | Rafael Nadal |
| 4 | Alexander Bublik | Kazakhstan | 222 km/h (138 mph) | 2nd Round 2020 Citi Open | Frances Tiafoe |
Fastest Serves From Popular Players
Serve speed isn’t everything when it comes to the effectiveness of a serve, but it certainly helps. So it will come as no surprise that while the players at the top of the game might not have the fastest serves on tour, they do have the ability to hit fast serves when they need to.
Let’s take a look at the fastest serves hit by some of the most popular player in professional tennis:
Roger Federer's Fastest Serve
Roger Federer may not be known for having the fastest serve, but it’s definitely one of the most effective. That being said, he definitely has the ability to up the serve speed when he needs to. Roger Federer’s fastest serve was recorded at 230 km/h (143 mph) during the 2010 Gerry Weber Open.
| Player | Roger Federer |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Height | 185 cm (6ft 1″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 187 km/h (116 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 230 km/h (143 mph) |
| Event | 2010 Gerry Weber Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 29 |
Rafael Nadal's Fastest Serve
Rafael Nadal’s fastest serve speed was recorded at 217 km/h (135 mph) during the 2010 US Open, and while it may not be the fastest serve in tennis, its extremely effective when combined with a heavy left swing.
| Player | Rafael Nadal |
| Country | Spain |
| Height | 185 cm (6ft 1″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 180 km/h (112 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 217 km/h (135 mph) |
| Event | 2010 US Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 25 |
Novak Djokovic's Fastest Serve
Novak’s serve has undergone a number of changes in recent years, and there’s no doubt that it just keeps getting better and better. Novak Djokovic’s fastest serve was recorded at 219 km/h (136 mph) during the 2009 Madrid Masters.
| Player | Novak Djokovic |
| Country | Serbia |
| Height | 188 cm (6ft 2″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 184 km/h (114.5 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 219 km/h (136 mph) |
| Event | 2009 Madrid Masters |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 22 |
Andy Murray's Fastest Serve
Andy Murray’s fastest serve was recorded when he hit an impressive 233.4 km/h (145.0 mph) serve during the 2007 SAP Open in San José, California when he was just 19 years old.
| Player | Andy Murray |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Height | 191 cm (6ft 3″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 184 km/h (114.2 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 233.4 km/h (145.0 mph) |
| Event | 2007 SAP Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 19 |
Andy Roddick's Fastest Serve
Andy Roddick’s serve will always be known as one of the best in the game thanks to the accuracy, spin and pace of his serve, which propelled him to world number 1 in 2003. Shortly after, Andy Roddick hit his fastest serve at 249 km/h or 155 mph against Vladimir Voltchkov during the 2004 Davis Cup tie between the United States and Belarus.
| Player | Andy Roddick |
| Country | United States |
| Height | 188 cm (6ft 2″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 198 km/h (123 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 249.4 km/h (155 mph) |
| Event | 2004 Davis Cup |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 22 |
Nick Kyrgios' Fastest Serve
Kyrgios’ serve is often regarded as one of the best serves in tennis, particularly thanks to the incredible disguise he has on his ball toss, which makes it almost impossible to predict. Nick Kyrgios hit his fastest serve at 230.1 km/h or 143.0 mph during the 2019 Wimbledon Championships against none other than Rafael Nadal.
| Player | Nick Kyrgios |
| Country | Australia |
| Height | 193 cm (6ft 4″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 198 km/h (123 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 230.1 km/h (143.0 mph) |
| Event | 2019 Wimbledon |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 24 |
Dominic Thiem's Fastest Serve
| Player | Dominic Thiem |
| Country | Austria |
| Height | 185 cm (6ft 1″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 182 km/h (113mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 232 km/h (144 mph) |
| Event | 2017 Gerry Weber Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 24 |
Serena Williams' Fastest Serve
Her average first serve speed is faster than most and is often considered one of the best serves in women’s tennis. Serena Williams’ fastest serve was a 206.4 km/h (128.3 mph) serve hit during the 2013 Australian Open.
| Player | Serena Williams |
| Country | USA |
| Height | 175 cm (5ft 9″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 171.2 km/h (106.4 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 206.4 km/h (128.3 mph) |
| Event | 2013 AUS Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 31 |
Naomi Osaka's Fastest Serve
| Player | Naomi Osaka |
| Country | Japan |
| Height | 180 cm (5ft 11″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 165.6 km/h (102.9 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 201 km/h (125 mph) |
| Event | 2016 US Open |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 18 |
Maria Sharapova's Fastest Serve
| Player | Maria Sharapova |
| Country | Russia |
| Height | 188 cm (6ft 2″) |
| Average First Serve Speed | 161 km/h (99.9 mph) |
| Fastest Serve Speed | 194 km/h (121 mph) |
| Event | 2010 Aegon Classic |
| Age When Serve Was Hit | 23 |
Despite new records being set every day, it seems difficult to imagine anyone beating the current fastest tennis serve records. That being said, advances in racquet and string technology have no doubt made the game faster in recent years and we are sure it will continue to do so in the future.
And that’s it! That’s everything there is to know about the fastest tennis serves in history. Did we miss any out or has a new one come up on your radar? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to update the lists!
