Who Boasts the Fastest Female Serve in Tennis History? Unveiling the Speed Queens

On average, a powerful serve in women’s tennis typically ranges between 190 km/h and 200 km/h. However, the elite echelon of female tennis players consistently pushes these boundaries, achieving serve speeds that defy expectations. This article delves into the record-breaking serves of women’s tennis, spotlighting the incredible athletes who have etched their names in history with the fastest serves the sport has ever witnessed. We’ll explore the phenomenal speeds achieved and recognize the players who have truly mastered the art of the Fastest Female Serve In Tennis.

Serena Williams serves during a practice session before the start of the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King Center in August 2022 in New York City

While a serve speed of 170 to 180 km/h (105 to 111 mph) is considered fast for female tennis players, numerous professionals have shattered these figures, reaching speeds exceeding 200km/h. It’s important to note that official recognition from bodies like the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) requires specific conditions. Only serve speeds recorded with WTA-certified radar guns during official matches are typically acknowledged. Serves during qualifying rounds or non-official matches, however impressive, often remain unrecognised in official records. This article celebrates those exceptional players who have gone beyond the average, showcasing the women who have truly delivered the fastest serves in women’s tennis.

Ranking the Powerhouses: Top 15 Fastest Female Tennis Serves

The quest for the fastest serve in women’s tennis is a continuous pursuit of power and precision. While many players have unleashed serves of incredible velocity, the following ranking highlights the top 15 recorded fastest serves, officially and unofficially, in the history of women’s professional tennis. These are the athletes who have redefined what’s possible in women’s serve speed.

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15. Aleksandra Krunic – 188km/h (117 mph)

Kicking off the list is Aleksandra Krunic, with a serve recorded at 117 mph during a 2014 U.S. Open match against Victoria Azarenka. Despite the impressive serve speed, Krunic faced defeat against Azarenka in a hard-fought match. This serve marked a significant moment in her career, showcasing her potential on the big stage.

14. Beatriz Haddad Maia – 189.9km/h (118 mph)

Beatriz Haddad Maia’s powerful serve earned her a spot on this list. Notably, in 2022, she held the record for the fastest average serve in women’s tennis. Her 118 mph serve at Wimbledon demonstrates her consistent power. However, Coco Gauff surpassed this record at the same tournament, highlighting the ongoing competition for serve speed supremacy.

Beatriz Haddad Maia serves during her match against Agnieszka Radwanska at the ASB Women's Classic at the ASB Centre in January 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand

13. Kristina Mladenovic – 198.5km/h (124.3 mph)

Kristina Mladenovic enters the top 15 with a serve clocked at 198.5km/h (124.3 mph) at the 2009 French Open. This serve underscores Mladenovic’s all-around game and her ability to generate power on crucial points.

12. Ana Ivanovic – 201 km/h (124.9 mph)

Ana Ivanovic, known for her elegant style and powerful groundstrokes, also possessed a formidable serve. Her fastest serve, recorded at 201 km/h (124.9 mph) during the 2007 French Open final against Justine Henin, places her firmly among the fastest servers in women’s tennis. Although she lost the final, her serve was a clear weapon throughout the tournament.

Ana Ivanovic in action against Tammi Patterson during the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January 2016, in Melbourne, Australia

11. Anna-Lena Groenefeld – 201.1km/h (125.0mph)

Anna-Lena Groenefeld shares the eleventh spot with other players who have reached 125 mph serves. Her record serve was achieved at the 2009 Indian Wells tournament against Amélie Mauresmo. This consistency at the 125 mph mark demonstrates a notable tier of power serving in women’s tennis. Naomi Osaka and Lucie Hradecká are among those who have also reached this speed, showcasing a group of players with comparable serve velocity.

Top 10: The Fastest Serves in Women’s Tennis History

Breaking into the top 10 signifies a truly elite level of serve speed. These players are consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s considered possible in women’s tennis, with serves that are not just fast, but game-changing.

Naomi Osaka in action during a match against Karolina Muchova at the Mutua Madrid Open tournament in May 2021 in Madrid, Spain

10. Nadiia Kichenok – 202.0 km/h (125.5mph)

Nadiia Kichenok, better known for her doubles prowess with her sister Lyudmila, also possesses a remarkable serve. Her fastest serve of 202.0 km/h (125.5mph) was recorded at the 2014 Australian Open, even in a loss to Ayumi Morita. This highlights that powerful serving can be a valuable asset across both singles and doubles formats.

9. Brenda Schultz-McCarthy – 202.7 km/h (126.0 mph)

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy appears twice on this list, a testament to her consistent power serving. Her 202.7 km/h (126.0 mph) serve ranks ninth, and she claims to have even reached 130 mph. With a career marked by powerful serves, Schultz-McCarthy remains one of the most impactful servers in WTA history.

8. Julia Görges – 202.9 km/h (126.1 mph)

Julia Görges’s serve of 202.9 km/h (126.1 mph), recorded at the 2012 French Open against Lucie Hradecka, places her firmly in the top 10. Known for her strong all-court game, Görges’s serve was a key weapon throughout her career.

Julia Goerges takes a hit in a match against Su-Wei Hsieh during the ASB Women's Classic at ASB Tennis Centre in January 2018 in Auckland, NZ

7. Coco Gauff – 205.5 km/h (128 mph)

Coco Gauff, a rising star in tennis, is making her mark with powerful serves. Her serve at the 2023 Australian Open reached 195 kph (121 mph), the fastest of the tournament. Furthermore, her 2022 U.S. Open serve of 205.5 km/h (128 mph) is the second-fastest ever recorded in the United States for a female player, just behind Venus Williams. Gauff’s reaction to her 128 mph serve – “I did not know how that happened. It did not feel like I hit it that hard” – underscores the sometimes surprising nature of achieving peak serve velocity.

6. Serena Williams – 207.0 km/h (128.6 mph)

Serena Williams, arguably the greatest female tennis player of all time, is also renowned for her powerful serve. During the 2013 Australian Open, Serena unleashed two serves at 207.0 km/h (128.6 mph) against Garbine Muguruza. This places her at sixth on this list, tied with Ivana Jorović, who achieved the same speed at the 2017 Fed Cup. Serena’s serve has been a dominant force throughout her career, contributing significantly to her numerous Grand Slam titles.

Serena took part in the Women's Singles Final against Simona Halep at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club in July 2019

5. Venus Williams – 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph)

Venus Williams, Serena’s sister and another legend of the game, boasts a fastest serve of 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph). She achieved this speed twice: at the 2007 U.S. Open and the 2008 Wimbledon final against Serena. Venus’s powerful serve, like Serena’s, has been a hallmark of her game. Ajla Tomljanovic and Alycia Parks have also reached this impressive 129 mph mark, demonstrating a cluster of players at this elite speed tier.

4. Brenda Schultz-McCarthy – 209.2 km/h (130 mph)

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy makes her third appearance on this list, this time in fourth place with a serve of 209.2 km/h (130 mph) recorded at the Cincinnati Masters in 2006. Her consistent presence among the fastest servers underscores her legacy as one of the WTA’s hardest hitters. Her serve against Julia Cohen at this tournament was particularly notable for its velocity.

3. Sabine Lisicki – 210.8 km/h (131.0 mph)

Sabine Lisicki holds the WTA-recognized record for the fastest serve in women’s tennis at 210.8 km/h (131 mph). This record was set at the 2014 Stanford Classic against Ana Ivanovic. Despite Ivanovic winning the match, Lisicki’s serve entered the record books, becoming the benchmark for fastest officially recorded serves in women’s tennis.

Sabine Liscki in action during the 2016 China Open Women's singles match against Elina Svitolina at the China National Centre in October 2016 in Beijing

2. Aryna Sabalenka – 214 km/h (133 mph)

Aryna Sabalenka, currently a top player in the WTA rankings, holds the second-fastest serve recorded at 214 km/h (133 mph). This serve was unleashed at the 2018 WTA Elite Trophy tournament. Sabalenka’s powerful game is built around her aggressive serve and groundstrokes, making her a formidable opponent.

1. Georgina García Pérez – 220 km/h (136.7 mph)

Topping the list is Georgina García Pérez, nicknamed El Huracán (The Hurricane), with an astounding serve of 220 km/h (136.7 mph). This serve, recorded at the 2018 Hungarian Ladies Open in a qualifying round match against Patty Schnyder, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the fastest serve ever by a female tennis player (unofficially recognized by WTA due to qualifying round). García Pérez’s serve demonstrates the peak of power in women’s tennis serving.

While men’s serves average faster speeds, the continuous improvement in women’s fastest serve records is undeniable. The players on this list are not only athletes at the top of their game but also pioneers pushing the boundaries of speed and power in women’s tennis. Their achievements inspire and elevate the sport, demonstrating the incredible athleticism and strength of female tennis professionals.