Is a 100 mph serve fast for a club player?

Yes. Most recreational players serve well below that, so 100 mph is a strong serve outside of high-level junior, college and pro tennis.

How can I measure my serve speed without a radar?

Film the serve, count the frames between contact and the bounce, and divide the distance by the time. Phone apps can do the math for you.

Are second serves slower?

Usually, because they carry more spin for safety. Many pros hit second serves 15 to 30 mph slower than their first.

Average Tennis Serve Speed

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Pros serve 110 to 130 mph; most club players serve far slower.

Quick answer & tips ▾

Top men on tour usually hit first serves at roughly 110 to 130 mph (about 175 to 210 km/h), and top women at roughly 95 to 115 mph (about 155 to 185 km/h), with the biggest servers going well past that. Recreational players are much slower; many club players serve somewhere around 60 to 90 mph, and reaching 100 mph is a real milestone.

The fastest serve on record is Sam Groth's 163.7 mph (263 km/h) in 2012. You can measure your own serve with a radar, a phone app, or by timing the ball over a known distance on video. Speed is only part of it, though: placement and a reliable second serve win more points than a few extra miles per hour.

Key tips

Measure with a radar or app to get a baseline before changing anything.
Add speed through leg drive, a loose arm and pronation, not muscle.
Track first-serve percentage alongside speed.
Aim a fast first serve at the corners where it is hardest to return.

FAQ

Is a 100 mph serve fast for a club player?: Yes. Most recreational players serve well below that, so 100 mph is a strong serve outside of high-level junior, college and pro tennis.
How can I measure my serve speed without a radar?: Film the serve, count the frames between contact and the bounce, and divide the distance by the time. Phone apps can do the math for you.
Are second serves slower?: Usually, because they carry more spin for safety. Many pros hit second serves 15 to 30 mph slower than their first.