Look, I’ll admit it – I once spent three solid weeks trying to clock serves with a borrowed radar gun that I later found out was actually meant for baseball. Those readings made a lot more sense after that revelation. But hey, at least my embarrassing equipment mishaps led me down a rabbit hole of researching serve speeds, particularly the legendary serves of Serena Williams.
Why Listen to Me? (Or: Confessions of a Serve Speed Obsessive)
Between my Exercise Science degree and eight years of coaching, I’ve developed a slightly unhealthy obsession with serve mechanics. Just ask my student Jake, who recently caught me analyzing slow-motion videos of pro serves at 2 AM (Sorry for those midnight technique texts, buddy!). I’ve spent countless hours studying serve speeds, particularly focusing on what makes the greats, well, great.
Serena’s Serve By The Numbers
Let’s get nerdy with the actual stats (and yes, these are properly verified, unlike my baseball radar gun adventures):
- Fastest Recorded Serve: 128.6 mph (207 km/h) during the 2013 Australian Open (video of this serve above, was it an ace?)
- Average First Serve Speed: 106-114 mph (170-183 km/h)
- Average Second Serve Speed: 92-98 mph (148-157 km/h)
Fun fact: Serena’s fastest serve is actually faster than some ATP players’ best efforts. Not that I’m keeping score or anything (I totally am).
Breaking Down the Beast (Or: Why Serena’s Serve Is More Than Just Speed)
Here’s what makes Serena’s serve truly special (and why my students get tired of hearing me talk about it):
The Technical Stuff
The power in Serena’s serve comes from an absolutely perfect kinetic chain – something I try to explain to my students while they stare at me blankly. It’s like watching a perfectly choreographed dance, except this dance ends with a ball traveling faster than most highway speed limits.
The Secret Sauce
You know what’s really wild about Serena’s serve? It’s not just the speed (though good luck returning something moving faster than your car on the freeway). It’s the disguise. I once spent an entire lesson just watching slow-motion videos of her serve with my advanced players, trying to spot the difference between her flat serve and slice serve. Spoiler alert: We couldn’t.
Comparing the Greats
Let’s put this in perspective with some other big servers in women’s tennis:
- Venus Williams: 129 mph
- Sabine Lisicki: 131 mph (current record holder)
- Serena Williams: 128.6 mph
But here’s the thing – and I tell this to every single one of my students who gets obsessed with serve speed – it’s not just about how fast you can hit it. It’s about consistency. And this is where Serena truly shines.
Why Serena’s Serve Speed Matters (And Why It Doesn’t)
Last summer, I had a junior player who was absolutely determined to break 100 mph on her serve. After two months of practice, she did it! The ball also landed somewhere in the next county, but hey, small victories, right?
The point is, Serena’s serve isn’t devastating because it’s fast (though trust me, it is). It’s devastating because:
- Placement: She can hit all corners of the service box
- Consistency: High percentage of first serves in
- Variation: Multiple serve types with the same motion
- Clutch Factor: Speed maintains under pressure
The Reality Check (Or: Why You Shouldn’t Try This at Home)
Look, I’m going to be real with you – and this is something I tell all my students who come to me with stars in their eyes after watching Serena serve highlights on YouTube. Most recreational players should be focusing on:
- Consistency over speed
- Clean technique over raw power
- Placement over velocity
(Though if you’re still determined to clock your serve speed, at least make sure you’re using an actual tennis radar gun. Learn from my mistakes, people.)
The Bottom Line
Serena Williams’ serve speed is incredible, historic, and frankly, a bit terrifying if you’re on the receiving end. But what makes it truly special isn’t just the raw velocity – it’s the complete package. The consistency, the placement, the variety, and yes, that face-melting speed when she needs it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go explain to my beginner adult group why “serving just like Serena” might not be the best goal for their first lesson. Though I have to admire their ambition!
P.S. If anyone knows where I can return a slightly used baseball radar gun, let me know. Asking for a friend.
Ready to work on your own serve? Check out my other articles on serve technique. I promise they involve fewer embarrassing radar gun stories. Probably.