JH
Julia Hoffman
February 5, 2026
The tennis serve has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Modern players generate unprecedented pace while maintaining accuracy that makes their serves nearly unreturnable.
Biomechanical improvements in serving technique combine with strength training to produce serves that regularly exceed 130 mph. But raw power alone doesn't guarantee success - placement and variation separate elite servers from the rest.
The best servers in today's game can adjust their placement, spin, and pace to keep opponents off-balance. This versatility makes breaking serve increasingly difficult at the highest levels.