John Isner (left), Iva Karlovic (centre), and Reilly Opelka (right) are some of the tallest tennis players in the ATP circuit at the moment. (Google Images)
Some male tennis stars have crossed the 150 mph barrier when trying to produce the fastest serves
Powerful serves are always an added advantage for any tennis player. The faster they are, the better. Meanwhile, serves need not necessarily win matches all the time.
However, they are still an excellent part of a player’s arsenal and can help shift the game’s momentum.
A player’s ability to send down fast serves and smash aces, moreover, enthrals the crowd and helps to gain their attention.
Tennis stars over time have hit some of the most eye-catching and powerful serves ever witnessed. Now let’s take a look at the top-five fastest-ever serves recorded in men’s tennis:
Australian Sam Groth holds the record for the fastest-ever recorded serve in men’s tennis history. He clocked 163.7 mph (263.4 kph) on May 9, 2012, in Busan, South Korea.
The serve happened during his second-round match against Belarus’s Uladzimir Ignatik. However, Groth lost the game 4-6, 3-6 against his counterpart.
Standing at 6ft 4in (193 cm), it was not a big surprise Groth delivered the fastest serve on the planet as he had the added advantage of height in his favour. A former player, Groth retired from the game in 2018 having turned professional back in 2006.
Following Groth closely behind is Frenchman Albano Olivetti. A giant of a player at 6ft 8in (203 cm), Olivetti smashed a 160 mph (257.5 kph) ace at the 2012 Internazionali Trofeo Lame Perrel–Faip.
Aged 28, Olivetti is known for his powerful aces – a tool that he uses to maximum effect during his encounters. Despite turning professional in 2010, Olivetti is yet to win an ATP title.
It would have been an incomplete list had American John Isner not been included. Widely known as one of the best servers presently, Isner is second in the list of players with the highest career aces at 12,266.
The 6ft 10in (208 cm) Isner hit his fastest serve at 157.2 mph (253 kph) in the 2016 Davis Cup encounter.
John Isner has the most aces in a tournament with 214 during the 2018 Wimbledon. He also has the most in a single match with 113 during his record 11-hour encounter with Nicolas Mahut in 2010 at Wimbledon.
The Croatian giant recorded the fourth fastest serve in tennis history at 156 mph (251.1 kph) in the 2011 Davis Cup doubles match against Germany. The joint tallest tennis player in history is known for his big and powerful serves – something that he has carried throughout his career.
He holds the all-time record for most career aces, with 13, 599 to his name. Despite turning 41, Karlovic is still active in the circuit and has eight ATP titles to his credit.
Joining Karlovic in fourth place is 29-year-old Jerzy Janowicz of Poland. The 6ft 8in Janowicz smashed a lot of excellent aces in the 2012 Pekao Szczecin Open matchup.
However, it was the 156-mph shot that he played in the opening round of the tournament that caught the attention of many.
The tall Canadian is one of the hard hitters in tennis at present. He has been pleasing the crowd with his long and powerful serves since turning professional back in 2008.
Raonic hit his 155.3 mph (250 kph) crowd-pleasing ace in the 2012 Rogers Cup, that left his opponent clueless and shaking his head.
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