When it comes to power in women’s tennis, the serve is a crucial weapon. A blistering serve can dictate the point, put opponents on the defensive, and rack up crucial aces. While the women’s game is often celebrated for its finesse and strategy, the power serve is an undeniable element of excitement. Let’s delve into the record books and highlight some of the fastest serves ever recorded in women’s professional tennis, focusing on the incredible athletes who have reached remarkable speeds.
Serena Williams: The 128.6 mph Double at the Australian Open
Serena Williams, a name synonymous with power and dominance in women’s tennis, makes her mark on the fastest serve list. Not once, but twice in the same tournament, Serena unleashed serves clocked at a staggering 128.6 miles per hour (207.0kph) at the 2013 Australian Open. These thunderous serves came during her second-round match against Garbine Muguruza and her third-round encounter with Morita.
The first serve at 128.6 mph occurred as Serena was closing out her match against a young Garbine Muguruza. After her dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory, Serena was questioned about the serve’s speed. Her response highlighted the precision of this particular serve, noting, “It’s my fastest that went in. I’ve hit some 150s, but of course they’re, like, to the sky.” This candid remark underscores the difference between raw power and a serve that is both fast and accurate, a hallmark of Serena’s game.
The second instance of this blistering serve speed came in her very next match against Morita. Serving at 5-1, 30-0 in the third round, Serena again reached 128.6 mph, eliciting cheers from the captivated Australian Open crowd. She went on to win the match 6-1, 6-3, further solidifying her path to another Grand Slam title. These serves are a testament to Serena’s incredible athleticism and her ability to generate immense power while maintaining control and accuracy.
Venus Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic: Blazing Serves at 129 mph
Sharing the position just above Serena on the speed chart are Venus Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic, both having recorded serves at an incredible 129.0 mph (207.6kph). Venus, Serena’s older sister and another icon of the sport, has achieved this speed twice in her illustrious career.
Venus’s first 129 mph serve was recorded at the 2007 US Open during her first-round victory over Kira Nagy. Her second came in a much higher-stakes environment – the 2008 Wimbledon final against her sister, Serena. This serve in the Wimbledon final highlights Venus’s ability to produce incredible power even under immense pressure. She ultimately won that Wimbledon final 7-5, 6-4, adding another Grand Slam title to her impressive resume.
Reflecting on her 129 mph serve at the US Open, Venus expressed surprise and a natural ease in generating such power. “I didn’t realize it. I was so excited because I wasn’t even trying for it,” she explained. “It just comes. Even when I say, ‘Okay, I’m going to hit a half pace with placement,’ it comes 120. That’s just how it comes. I wasn’t even trying for it. I wasn’t expecting to do that at all.” Venus’s quote reveals the effortless power that is a key component of her formidable serve. She even jokingly added, “I guess I’ve got to try for one more, 130,” hinting at the constant drive for improvement and pushing boundaries.
Ajla Tomljanovic matched Venus’s 129 mph serve at the Cincinnati Masters in 2008. While her match against Simona Halep in that tournament extended over two days and ultimately resulted in a loss for Tomljanovic (4-6, 6-3, 6-3), her serve speed remains a notable achievement, placing her among the elite power servers in women’s tennis history.
Conclusion
These incredible serve speeds from Serena and Venus Williams, and Ajla Tomljanovic showcase the raw power present in women’s tennis. Their serves are not just about brute force; they are a combination of technique, athleticism, and years of dedicated training. These athletes have not only achieved remarkable speeds but have also consistently utilized their serves as potent weapons throughout their careers, contributing significantly to their success in the sport. The “fastest women’s tennis serve” records continue to be a testament to the evolving power and athleticism in women’s professional tennis, inspiring future generations of players to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the court.
