Greatest Serves of All Time

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

I've seen the both. IMO, Smith's first and second serve were better than Newk's, as great as Newk's serve was.

Limpinhitter,

I guess it's all a matter of opinion but I prefer Newcombe's service game. But Smith's serve was superb.

[monfed]

Sampras is #1 server IMO.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by pc1

Limpinhitter,

I guess it's all a matter of opinion but I prefer Newcombe's service game. But Smith's serve was superb.

In my understanding, I think Limpinhitter implied that Smith had a better single serve shot while Newcombe was more complete as a S&V, and definitely better in the backcourt.

[Moose Malloy]

karlović vs thomas johansson, stockholm 07
40 of 66 serves unreturned (27 aces) = 60.6 %

i have 2 other for karlović

vs agassi, uso 05, 63 of 139 (30 aces) = 45.3 %
vs roddick, queens 05, 32 of 81 (16 aces) = 39.5%

came across a stat espn had on Karlovic's win over Hewitt at 2003 Wimbledon.

59 of his 129 serves were unreturned(46%)

[pc1]

Originally Posted by kiki

In my understanding, I think Limpinhitter implied that Smith had a better single serve shot while Newcombe was more complete as a S&V, and definitely better in the backcourt.

Kiki,

When what I understand and from what I've seen, Newcombe was generally considered to have a superior first and second serve over Smith although very slightly in each area.

I think the consensus is that Smith's first serve was faster perhaps in pure speed but Newcombe's first speed was such a heavy serve that it could knock the racquet out of your hand. That's the description that Arthur Ashe gave.

You combine that with opinion by many that Newcombe's second serve was perhaps the best of all time and that is a great overall serve.

On a different note, for a big match there are very few you would pick ahead of Newcombe at his peak.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by pc1

Kiki,

When what I understand and from what I've seen, Newcombe was generally considered to have a superior first and second serve over Smith although very slightly in each area.

I think the consensus is that Smith's first serve was faster perhaps in pure speed but Newcombe's first speed was such a heavy serve that it could knock the racquet out of your hand. That's the description that Arthur Ashe gave.

You combine that with opinion by many that Newcombe's second serve was perhaps the best of all time and that is a great overall serve.

On a different note, for a big match there are very few you would pick ahead of Newcombe at his peak.

If you look at what Smith was able to accomplish, and look at his game to figure out what he did it with, it really comes down to his serve and his net coverage, including his great smash on both sides. He may have been the greatest overachiever of all time. His two majors were both on grass, and he won the WCT finals in Dallas on pretty fast carpet over Ashe. Other than serve and smash, Newcombe's game was better in every respect, and he was a better overall athlete. That's why Smith was so much more successful in doubles.

[jean pierre]

John Sadri is in the top 15. Great serve.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by pc1

Kiki,

When what I understand and from what I've seen, Newcombe was generally considered to have a superior first and second serve over Smith although very slightly in each area.

I think the consensus is that Smith's first serve was faster perhaps in pure speed but Newcombe's first speed was such a heavy serve that it could knock the racquet out of your hand. That's the description that Arthur Ashe gave.

You combine that with opinion by many that Newcombe's second serve was perhaps the best of all time and that is a great overall serve.

On a different note, for a big match there are very few you would pick ahead of Newcombe at his peak.

I agree.Newcombe was a very complete player, indeed.Smith achieved a lot ( a bit like Kodes) with relatively a limited game, which depended a lot on the % of first serves in.But I have a lot of respect for him - as I do have for Kodes- because Smith was very tough menthally, as well as a true gentleman.

Needless to say Newcombe is one of my favourites players, though.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by jean pierre

John Sadri is in the top 15. Great serve.

For a few months (AO final, Phily semis beating a lot of big names, WCT finalist,USO fourth round) Sadri looked like the next big thing in the tennis world.I don´t think he had the nerve or the assets to be a top star, but he was the classical 70´s-80´s specialist that spelt trouble when tunned on...

[NonP]

I was gonna do the bump, but it looks like somebody took care of it.

Will get to everyone in the next couple of days, but for now, from what I've read so far here and on other threads, I do think Smith has yet to overtake Newk on our ladder. Sorry, limpin.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by NonP

I was gonna do the bump, but it looks like somebody took care of it.

Will get to everyone in the next couple of days, but for now, from what I've read so far here and on other threads, I do think Smith has yet to overtake Newk on our ladder. Sorry, limpin.

I'm only going by personal knowledge and observation. What do I know?

[Romismak]

I haven´t found this thread before, interresting to compare best servers ever.

I can´t go to much in history, like 40s-70s hard to tell, but i think best servers ever are Goran and Ivo - hard to tell who is better who worse

I will put it in eras

90s - many big servers like Goran, Pete, Becker, Krajicek, Stich

Goran was best server among those guys, he was lefty+always got most aces

Than probably Krajicek- his 1st serve was lethal

I think Pete is overrated, sure his serve is among best ever, but simply that guy has 14 slams, he had much more than only serve, while most of this guys were limited comparing to Pete. Pete is one of best servers ever no doubt about it, but really when somebody say he is best ever - it is because they saw many matches of him and he was better after serve, on return and so on than other big servers in his era.

For example Pete´s record is pretty bad vs Krajicek and i believe it is because Krajicek just had bigger serve than Pete and outserved him in their matches.

So for 90s i say best server Goran.

In last decade we had Roddick, Karlovic, Isner, Johansson, now Raonic - who will be among best servers for sure

Among those guys Roddick has-had most groundgame.

So his numbers are better thanks to this.

Karlovic´s 1st serve is i believe most dangerous weapon in tennis history, at his serving peak he had accuracy, speed and high FS% - what is also thanks to his height.

His 2nd serve is average, but 1st best ever.

Isner-high 1st serve%, maybe best 2nd serve ever

So i believe from this era Karlovic at his peak is best server

So i say Goran -IVo hard to tell, one was lefty, played in era with quicker grass, carpet and generally besides clay faster conditions vs many big servers

another guy played in this era, his groundgame is probably worst among all big servers on that list and still his numbers are best or 2nd best in many categories.

Look on ATP website there is list since 1990 stats - service games won, 1st serve points won, aces and so on- Ivo is up there best or 2nd best almost in everything with such limited game.

[krosero]

Federer had an unreturned rate of 44% in the semis against Djokovic.

The roof over Centre Court was closed, and Federer looked comfortable from the opening point. He served with pace and precision, winning 75% of his first-serve points and 72% of his second serve points. He kept Djokovic guessing, especially when Federer served to the body (he won two easy points with the element of surprise). Djokovic, the best returner in tennis, failed to put 44% of Federer’s serves in play. In the third set, he missed 62% of them.

http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/0...we-all-wanted/

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by krosero

Federer had an unreturned rate of 44% in the semis against Djokovic.

The roof over Centre Court was closed, and Federer looked comfortable from the opening point. He served with pace and precision, winning 75% of his first-serve points and 72% of his second serve points. He kept Djokovic guessing, especially when Federer served to the body (he won two easy points with the element of surprise). Djokovic, the best returner in tennis, failed to put 44% of Federer’s serves in play. In the third set, he missed 62% of them.

http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/0...we-all-wanted/

Federer has great location and disguise which is more effective than power alone.

[ibbi]

Pete and Goran, and Fed has to be in the conversation at this point. Roddick has the power, but Fed's got the variety, the unreadability, strong second. No comparison.

[Xavier G]

Federer's service was a major factor in him winning this Wimbledon. He has good accuracy, disguise and power too. The serves out wide to Djokovic and Murray's forehand I liked a lot. Apart from the serve, I thought his backhand was a big weapon yesterday too, come to think of it.

[ibbi]

Originally Posted by Xavier G

Federer's service was a major factor in him winning this Wimbledon. He has good accuracy, disguise and power too. The serves out wide to Djokovic and Murray's forehand I liked a lot. Apart from the serve, I thought his backhand was a big weapon yesterday too, come to think of it.

Not just this one. Roddick would have beaten him in 2009 if his serve hadn't kept him in it, and he would have lost to Nadal in straight sets in 2008 without it, probably even would have lost 2007.

[smoledman]

Federer has to be considered one of the top 10 greatest servers of all time.

[Xavier G]

Originally Posted by ibbi

Not just this one. Roddick would have beaten him in 2009 if his serve hadn't kept him in it, and he would have lost to Nadal in straight sets in 2008 without it, probably even would have lost 2007.

Sure. Roddick never came closer.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by smoledman

Federer has to be considered one of the top 10 greatest servers of all time.

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