February 18, 2011
Pete Sampras and the Top 25 Servers in the History of Men's Tennis
By AJ Porter
It used to be that a tennis player while serving the ball could be moving --- walking or running toward the service line.
Furthermore he or she could use this running start to advance quickly to the net as part of the service motion.
That all changed beginning in 1903.
The newly proposed rule stated "It is not a fault if one only of the server's feet do not touch the ground at the moment at which the service is delivered. He shall place both feet on the ground immediately before serving, and not take a running or a walking start." (New York Times, June 7, 1903).
This rule was arbitrated by the English who did not care for this practice employed by American players who often appeared to arrive at the net before the ball did.
The Brits got this rule in place to quell the U.S. enthusiasm for rushing the net.
So, from 1908 until 1960, a tennis player had to keep one foot on the ground at all times during the service motion. If both feet left the ground it was ruled a foot fault.
The rule was amended in 1961.
Image what the serve would look like today if players had one foot nailed to the ground?
Of course, a serve in tennis is used by a player to start a point. The man or woman serving the ball tosses it into the air.
The player normally hits the ball when it reaches the apex before it begins to descend.
The player must hit the ball into the service box diagonally opposite him without allowing the ball to touch the net. The person serving may hit the ball under or overhand --- according to the rules.
There are a number of different serves a player may use like a flat serve, topspin serve, slice serve, and kick (American twist) serve depending on his or her opponent and the playing conditions.
A few players are satisfied to use the serve simply to initiate the point; however, the top players often try to hit a winning shot with their serve --- an "ace".
All players continually seek to maximize power and placement on their serves. Each component is equally important. As we look at the top servers in the men's game, speed and placement are keys.
It is important to remember that the requirements for serving have changed throughout the history of the game.
Some men, however, have been taken their serves to levels few, if any, can approach or equal.
All the top pros generally serve well because it would be impossible to win if they did not.
The following men selected added their names to the serving legend list.
Either that or --- the player used the serve to achieve a place in the men's game they otherwise would not have reached.
Each man displayed powerful and skilled serving abilities.
In the end all tennis matches begin with The Serve.
25. Colin Dibley
24. Ivan Ljubicic
23. Steve Denton
22. Geoff Brown
21. John Isner
20. Slobodan Zivojinovic
19. Neale Fraser
18. Kevin Curren
17. Thomas Johansson
16. Greg Rusedski
15. Richard Krajicek
14. Michael Stich
13.Ivo Karlovic
12. Mark Philippousis
11. Stefan Edberg
10. Roscoe Tanner
9. John McEnroe
8. Ellsworth Vines
7. Bill Tilden
6. Andy Roddick
5. Roger Federer
4. Boris Becker
3. Pancho Gonzalez
2. Goran Ivanisevic
1. Pete Sampras
The Sampras serve was solid from every point of view.
It was never the fastest even back in his No. 1 heydays, but it had more spin --- topspin specifically --- that made it harder to return with its high-velocity kick.
The Sampras' serve was a product of tremendous spin rates.
Although his serve seldom came in faster than 115-130 mph, his rpm on first serves averaged 2500 with a higher topspin component than other serves of similar velocity, especially during the 1990-2000 span.
The Sampras serve was heavier and bounced higher and spun with more force on the rebound. This made it doubly difficult to return the Sampras serve effectively.
Every aspect of his serve is perfect aided by tremendous shoulder flexibility as he turns into the serve and hits the ball.
The spin is enhanced by the ball tossed further to the left. The serve gets its tremendous power from the uncoiling of his legs starting with the depth of his knee bend.
The explosion as Sampras hits the ball, carrying his body forward all add to the heaviness or weight of the Sampras serve --- the best ever probably in the history of the game.
During his career, Sampras served a career high 1011 aces in 1993 and in 1994 he served 994 aces to lead the tour in both those years.
No player appeared to get himself out of trouble by utilizing the serve more than Sampras --- first or second serve.