Serve speed is the velocity of the ball off the racket, shown on tour broadcasts in mph or km/h. It's calculated from the distance travelled and time taken. A strong club first serve is often 80-100 mph; professionals routinely exceed 110-120 mph, and the fastest recorded serves top 150 mph (240 km/h). Speed isn't everything — placement and spin often matter more than raw pace.
Key points
- Ball velocity off the racket
- Club first serve often 80-100 mph
- Pros exceed 110-120 mph
- Fastest serves top 150 mph