The 15 Most Powerful Serves in Tennis History

January 15, 2025 Editorial team

These incredible serves demonstrate the immense power and precision of some of the sport’s greatest players. Let’s dive into the details, ranked from the slowest to the fastest.

15. Oscar Otte (150.9 mph / 243.0 km/h)

Oscar Otte delivered this blazing serve during the 2021 US Open, reaching the fourth round. His incredible speed solidified his place among the hardest servers in tennis history.

14. Hubert Hurkacz (150.4 mph / 243.0 km/h)

Hubert Hurkacz’s serve was clocked during a Davis Cup match against Argentina in 2016. This powerful serve highlighted his rise in the tennis world.

Read the full article

13. Alexei Popyrin (150.3 mph / 242.0 km/h)

During the 2023 Tokyo Open, Alexei Popyrin showcased his serving prowess, reaching the quarterfinals and delivering this incredible serve.

12. Marius Copil (151.6 mph / 244.0 km/h)

Marius Copil’s serve came during the 2016 European Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. His serve remains one of the fastest ever recorded.

11. Feliciano López (152.0 mph / 244.6 km/h)

At the 2014 Aegon Championships, Feliciano López unleashed this rocket of a serve, proving his capabilities as a top server.

10. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (152.0 mph / 244.6 km/h)

This serve was recorded during the 2024 French Open, where Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard showcased his incredible power in doubles competition.

9. Joachim Johansson (151.0 mph / 243.0 km/h)

Joachim Johansson’s serve was clocked during a 2004 Davis Cup match, further cementing his reputation as a fearsome server.

8. Chris Guccione (154.1 mph / 248.0 km/h)

Chris Guccione achieved this speed during a 2006 Davis Cup match, making him one of the most powerful servers in the game.

7. Andy Roddick (155 mph / 249.4 km/h)

Andy Roddick’s legendary serve came during the 2004 Davis Cup semifinals, showcasing his dominance in the service game.

6. Milos Raonic (155.3 mph / 249.9 km/h)

Milos Raonic recorded this serve during the 2012 SAP Open, where he reached the second round. His serve remains a benchmark in the modern era.

5. Jerzy Janowicz (156 mph / 251.0 km/h)

Jerzy Janowicz’s serve during the 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open demonstrated his raw power, leaving opponents in awe.

4. Ivo Karlović (156 mph / 251.0 km/h)

Ivo Karlović’s noteworthy serve came during a 2011 Davis Cup match, further establishing him as one of the greatest servers in tennis history.

3. John Isner (157.2 mph / 253.0 km/h)

John Isner’s serve, delivered during a 2016 Davis Cup match, stands out as one of the fastest and most effective in the sport.

2. Albano Olivetti (160 mph / 257.5 km/h)

Photo: Janet McIntyre / Shutterstock.com

Albano Olivetti’s noteworthy serve came during the 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip, where he showcased his immense power.

1. Sam Groth (163.7 mph / 263.4 km/h)

Sam Groth holds the record for the fastest serve in tennis history, achieved during the 2012 Busan Open Challenger Tennis tournament. His unmatched speed at 163.7 mph (263.4 km/h) places him at the top of this list.