High-intensity, powerful back-and-forth action is what we all love about tennis. Players like Rafael Nadal have pivoted toward an effective technique that relies on immense core strength and tenacious play.
But, as new, stronger generations emerge, the importance of the serve cannot be downplayed. Today we will look at players with fearsome serves who could set up their entire gameplan due to their powerful opening shot.
Although players like Andy Roddick are renowned for their ferocious serve, you might be surprised he doesn’t make the top five. Roddick’s fastest serve of 143mph clocks in at number seven on the list.
Concerning the players on this list, Roddick was renowned for his service but had an excellent all-round game and held his own against some of the greatest players of all time.
#5 – Jerry Janowicz – 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open
While there isn’t an exact speed recorded for this service, the howitzer of a serve had a minimum speed of 156mph, placing him in the top 5. This monstrous opening shot during the first round of the men’s singles seats him comfortably within the higher echelons of the fastest serves ever.
The fierce tenacity of the 6-foot-8 Polishman’s serve stunned the crowd, and witnessing such an exciting moment must have reminded some of the crowd of the type of action you catch at an online casino.
With compelling, instant, back-and-forth, unpredictable movement, tennis draws comparisons to casino games like poker and roulette. Playing poker in a casino involves a high level of strategy and psychology, which again makes it like the highest level of tennis.
#4 – Ivo Karlovic – 2011 Davis Cup
Just a year before Janowicz’s rocket of a serve, Karlovic clocked a similar speed of 156mph during his doubles match in the opening round of the Davis Cup. This isn’t the only record that Karlovic holds.
With a 6 foot 11-inch frame, he is one of the tallest players in tennis history. He uses this huge frame and reach to his advantage and is known as one of the game’s fastest and most dominant servers – hence his inclusion on this list today.
His towering build allows him to generate serious power behind his serve and deliver it at a different height and trajectory, which has proven to be a nightmare for some of his opponents.
Having reached the third and fourth rounds of multiple grand slams and the semi-finals of the Australian Open doubles in 2010, Karlovic has operated at a high level for most of his career and has earned his place as one of the top servers in the history of tennis. In addition, Karlovic is the oldest men’s singles player to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
#3 – John Isner – 2016 Davis Cup
Another David Cup entry, John Isner, is renowned for serving. He has the most aces in the history of the ATP tour, clocking over 14,000 in his career thus far, so it’s no surprise he has been ranked in the top 10 during his career.
However, in the first round of a Davis Cup singles match in 2016, Isner’s 157.2mph serve was a real blink, and you’ll miss it a moment.
With the future of the Davis Cup guaranteed for a considerable period, who knows whether we will see another rocket of a serve in the same event.
Isner’s career is a mountain of flamethrowing serves, but this was another level. It is the fastest ever recorded using verified ATP equipment. The North Carolina native is a player that strikes fear into opponents with his commanding and impressive service game.
It might be a while before we see another player with such a lightning serve.
#2 – Albano Olivetti – 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip
Another towering player who uses his height to their full advantage – the 6-foot 8 Frenchman clocked a serve measured 160mph, which is the fastest second serve ever recorded. However, it is more impressive that he served with ferocity and decisiveness despite the initial fault.
#1 – Sam Groth – 2012 Busan Open Challenger Tennis
Isner and Sam Groth have frequently challenged each other for the title of King of the serves. While it may not be one of the greatest tennis rivalries, it is a fascinating head-to-head in an area where few possess the ferocious serving ability of the American or the Australian.
As it stands, Groth holds the record for the fastest-ever recorded serves at an astonishing 163.4mph. However, he retired in 2018, and as of early 2023, his record is still comfortable. Nobody has come close to this, and even though there are only a few digits between the records, the difference between 160mph and 163.4 is significant.
With a new age of tennis players coming through that are more tenacious and powerful than the last, somebody will likely break Groth’s record at some point. However, it has stood the test for over a decade, and it will take a formidable talent to clock at a higher speed.