The Australian Open is just around the corner, and in that occasion I have taken a look at the best servers to ever play the game. I chose to focus on the modern era, so bear with me if you miss some of the classics. The rackets they use in the last couple of decades generate so much more power than the small ones they used before, making the serve an even more dangerous weapon. Enjoy!
1. Even though I might be a little biased, I think Goran Ivanisevic is the greatest server of all time. When it comes to most aces in a season, the Croatian holds 4 out of the top 5 spots. His left hand was one of the most powerful we have ever seen, and the only thing that could stop his serve was his temper, causing him to double-fault. Goran also has the most aces in a tournament with 212 in his Wimbledon 2001 triumph and most aces in a career with 10 183.
2. Pete Sampras was not the guy with the hardest serve on the tour, but his consistently powerful and accurate first and second serve, combined with his other qualities, made it almost impossible to break the serve of “Pistol Pete”.
3. Ivo Karlovic has to be one of the most feared servers on the ATP Tour. The 6’10 giant uses his height to unleash rocket after rocket, but his limited mobility has prevented him from becoming one of the top players in the world. He once held the record for fastest recorded serve with an impressive 156 mph!
4. Trying to return the serve from a guy like John Isner can be very frustrating. Just like with Karlovic, his height makes it possible for the american to serve from a much better angle than his opponents. Isner will continue to be one of the best servers in the game for a long time, but will need to work on his other skills to become a consistent top 10 player.
5. Andy Roddick had one of the most recognizable serves ever, and his was one of the fastest and most explosive on the tour. His second serve was also excellent, and if it hadn’t been for the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the american would have a couple of more Grand Slams in his trophy cabinet.
6. Roger Federer is a guy that doesn’t have the most powerful serve, but with his unpredictable and awkward ball spins he absolutely deserves a place among the top 10. The Fed Express is also one of the most “clutch” players out there, saving his very best serves for when he really needs them.
7. Although this is an all time list, and the young Canadian is just in the beginning of his career, Milos Raonic is a guy that should be on the list. He was the best server last season, scoring the most aces and winning a higher percentage of service games than anybody else. He is ranked number 15 at the moment, but I think it won’t be long before we see him in the top 10.
8. Although he never reached his true potential as a tennis player, Mark “The Scud” Philippoussis will be remembered for his rocket serve. He once sat an Australian record with 46 aces in one match, and it is a bit sad to see that his career never turned out the way it could have.
9. Richard Krajicek was a great player in the 1990s, among other things winning the Wimbledon tournament in 1996, and for a long time he held the record for most aces in one match with 49.
10. Boris Becker and his Boom-Boom serve has to be mentioned, just to give some honor to the old school guys, and Boris was truly one of the best in his era.
Filed under: Sports Tagged: 10 Greatest Servers in Tennis History, Best Servers, Goran Ivanisevic, John Isner Aces, Milos Raonic Serve, Pete Sampras, tennis 
