Let me tell ya, when it comes to them tennis players serving the ball, they ain’t messin’ around. I mean, the speeds some o’ these folks hit, it’s faster than a car on a highway! So now you’re askin’, “What’s the fastest tennis serve ever recorded?” Well, sit tight, ‘cause I’m about to break it down real simple for ya.
Fastest Serve Ever: Sam Groth

Alright, so the top spot goes to this Australian fella named Sam Groth. Now, he ain’t the most famous one, but boy did he give that ball a whack! Back in 2012, he hit a serve that clocked in at a mind-blowin’ 163.7 mph (or 263.4 km/h if ya talkin’ in kilometers). This record was set over in South Korea, in Busan to be exact, at what they call an ATP Challenger event. Now I know, sounds fancy, but basically, it’s just one step below the big leagues. Anyway, that ball went so fast, it’s still the fastest serve in the history books!
Some folks say it was a fluke, but hey, it’s in the record, and no one’s managed to beat it yet. Sam lost that match, funny enough, but he sure did leave a mark!
Other Big Hitters in Men’s Tennis
Now, Sam Groth might be sittin’ on top, but there’s some other fellas who ain’t far behind:
- John Isner: This big American fella smashed a serve at 155 mph (or 249.4 kph). Folks say he’s known for them powerful serves, especially with his tall frame – he’s like a tree throwin’ a ball!
- Ivo Karlovic: Now here’s another giant on the court. He clocked in at 156 mph (251 kph). He’s known as “Dr. Ivo” ‘cause he’s got a knack for makin’ those serves look real easy.
- Andy Roddick: Back in his day, Andy was hittin’ around 152 mph (244 kph) on his serves. He held the record for a bit before the big hitters like Groth and Isner took over.
But let’s not get it twisted; these speeds ain’t common. Only a few of these fellas can hit like this, and most serves in your regular game of tennis are a whole lot slower.
Women’s Fastest Tennis Serve

Now, I know what y’all are thinkin’ – what about the ladies? Well, let me tell ya, they ain’t laggin’ too far behind!
- Serena Williams: This gal is known all over, and she hit her fastest serve at 128.3 mph (206.4 kph). Ain’t that somethin’? She’s one of the greatest, and she serves up a storm every match she plays.
- Sabine Lisicki: Now, she holds the record in the women’s game with a serve that went 131 mph (210.8 kph). Lisicki got that big record back in 2014, and no one’s come close to it yet.
Fast Serves at Wimbledon
Wimbledon, it’s where tennis shines the brightest, ya know? They got some fast serves recorded there too. Back in 2010, this American fella named Taylor Dent blasted one at 148 mph in the men’s game, settin’ a record for Wimbledon. It’s a big deal, ‘cause this place is strict – they even play on grass, and the ball don’t bounce like it does on other courts.
As for the ladies, Serena still stands tall at Wimbledon. Her best serve there didn’t quite reach her record, but it sure gave everyone a run for their money.
Why Are These Serves So Fast?
Now, if ya wonderin’ how they hit it so fast, let me tell ya, it ain’t all talent. These players spend years trainin’ those arms and legs, buildin’ up power like you wouldn’t believe. Plus, they use all kinds o’ fancy techniques – swingin’ the racket just right, usin’ every bit of muscle in their bodies, and makin’ sure their form’s on point. And let’s not forget, the rackets they use these days are way more advanced. Back in the day, players were usin’ wood rackets, and you can bet those didn’t go nearly as fast.

Will Anyone Beat Groth’s Record?
People askin’ if anyone’s gonna beat that 163.7 mph serve, and who knows? Maybe someday. Right now, it’s lookin’ tough – no one’s really come close in recent years. But with new players comin’ up and technology always changin’, it might just happen. Tennis keeps changin’, and there’s always some young fella or gal with a strong arm ready to break the next big record.
So there ya have it! From Sam Groth’s record-breakin’ hit to Serena’s powerhouse serve, tennis players keep pushin’ the limits. We’ll just have to wait and see who’s next to bring that record down, but until then, Groth’s the king o’ speed on the court!
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