I clocked a serve and it was 85 mph

And it was what seemed to be a crazy hardest serve I could hit . I’m 5.7 on a good day but I really nailed .
I was then clocked on the forehand and backhand
It was embarrassing on the forehand
67 mph
The Backhand was 88 mph .. so I normally don’t try to hit it that hard but it was a screamer
I was surprised that my Bh was almost as hard as a serve.. it felt like it was 1 million mph and the Serve I hit felt like 3 million mph ! I tried as hard as I could to hit it harder but I just couldn’t :( I was bummed I couldn’t beat 100. Plus it hurt trying to swing that hard :( I’m old
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
What type of radar was that?
88mph on the bh is pretty darn good though. I’m guessing 1hbh, am I right?
 

tennis347

Hall of Fame
That’s some serious pace to crack a backhand at 88 mph! I have a one handed backhand and don’t think I could come close to that. On the forehand side I am sure if I am leaning to my right on the run, I could get close to that speed.
 

QuentinFederer

Professional
Depending on the type of radar you used you are quite likely actually serving a bit faster. On TV when we see serve speed of pros the radar measures the ball immediately after its hit. Most radars the likes of us amateurs use measure the ball after its already close to the net and has lost speed.
 
it was a box square one we put it on the ground by the net . It’s not nine but one of our JR programs dad has it he uses to measure base ball pitches .
 
My backhand was as hard as I could hit it and it went in 2 feet inside the line low and flat and lucky as hell. One handed but my usual swing just way faster . Hurt my arm on the serve no kidding I’m icing it now . Dumb of me to even try it. But that serve was in though it felt way faster than the reading I hit it as hard as I could man . Still no where near 100 mph which was my intent.
Oh one more thing too it wasn’t a drop and hit on the back hand the ball was fed to me by another teacher pro and I hit 10 balls . I had 6 in the 80’s... and 3 hit the fence on a fly . Which was embarrassing and one I Dam near whiffed ! Lord !
 
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Depending on the type of radar you used you are quite likely actually serving a bit faster. On TV when we see serve speed of pros the radar measures the ball immediately after its hit. Most radars the likes of us amateurs use measure the ball after its already close to the net and has lost speed.
Well I was told by the dad i had to put it in front of the net to get the most accurate speed ?
 

Kevo

Legend
It it's a speed trac radar I have one of those. Haven't used it in a long time. I took it up to the local high school one day to let the youngins clock serves. Several of the guys swore they would break 100mph. Most of the better guys were in the 80s. I think we had a couple of serves clock in just above 90, maybe 92. Actually one of the shortest and skinniest kids on the team I think had the fastest hit at 94 or so, but it was about 6 inches out.

My fastest clocked was 115mph. Several of my better serves didn't even register, so not sure what they would have been.

88 on the backhand is a clean winner against anyone if it's placed well at the right time. Very nice shot. Also, low and flat would be the most advantageous for getting a good speed on the gun.

I might be able to hit my backhand harder than my forehand too now that I'm a little bit older and still have a weak shoulder from an injury about a year ago. For some reason they way my shoulder is I can pretty much hit as hard as I want on the backhand side with no issue. If I hit that hard on the forehand side it feels like it might do damage to the shoulder. Hoping to be in top form for next summer though. May have to get the radar back out then.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Unless the ball flies directly over the radar the reading will be low. Even then, as the trajectory is over the radar it never reads the full speed. Usually if you add 5 to 10% you are pretty close to the true speed, assuming a ball directly over the device.

I have a Speedtrac and brought it to a coach practice and we were all over 105mph (105 to 122). So maybe the positioning wasn’t right as a seasoned coach/pro should be over 100mph even with such a device.
 
It it's a speed trac radar I have one of those. Haven't used it in a long time. I took it up to the local high school one day to let the youngins clock serves. Several of the guys swore they would break 100mph. Most of the better guys were in the 80s. I think we had a couple of serves clock in just above 90, maybe 92. Actually one of the shortest and skinniest kids on the team I think had the fastest hit at 94 or so, but it was about 6 inches out.

My fastest clocked was 115mph. Several of my better serves didn't even register, so not sure what they would have been.

88 on the backhand is a clean winner against anyone if it's placed well at the right time. Very nice shot. Also, low and flat would be the most advantageous for getting a good speed on the gun.

I might be able to hit my backhand harder than my forehand too now that I'm a little bit older and still have a weak shoulder from an injury about a year ago. For some reason they way my shoulder is I can pretty much hit as hard as I want on the backhand side with no issue. If I hit that hard on the forehand side it feels like it might do damage to the shoulder. Hoping to be in top form for next summer though. May have to get the radar back out then.
I feel EXACTLY THE SAME WAY !
 
Unless the ball flies directly over the radar the reading will be low. Even then, as the trajectory is over the radar it never reads the full speed. Usually if you add 5 to 10% you are pretty close to the true speed, assuming a ball directly over the device.

I have a Speedtrac and brought it to a coach practice and we were all over 105mph (105 to 122). So maybe the positioning wasn’t right as a seasoned coach/pro should be over 100mph even with such a device.
Awwww your too kind I’d be surprised if I could hit a serve at 100 mph I’m pretty weak above my shoulders for sure the backhand was cool at 88 and it was in
All the forehands I hit were with a ton of topspin as I was embarrassed about hitting so many looooooong
 
But I will say I couldn’t believe how much fun it was clocking all the shots . Sure I’ve clocked my serve before but never groundies which I find way more fascinating and interesting no question!
 
Oh I forgot to mention I am using my normal 1987 head club pro 89.5 mid shortened down to 25 inches in length weight is 11 oz Ra 33. It’s a noodle but she’s my noodle and I love her
Strung with Kevlar mains at 22 lbs tension and isospeed classic 16 g at 54 in the crosses at 12 pts head light
 

TagUrIt

Hall of Fame
I use a Courtmatics dampener. After each match/practice session it gives me feedback. I’ve been averaging high 90’s with my flat serve. The fastest I’ve ever served was 108mph.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
Oh I forgot to mention I am using my normal 1987 head club pro 89.5 mid shortened down to 25 inches in length weight is 11 oz Ra 33. It’s a noodle but she’s my noodle and I love her
Strung with Kevlar mains at 22 lbs tension and isospeed classic 16 g at 54 in the crosses at 12 pts head light
85 mph is not bad for a 25" paddle.
 

AMGF

Hall of Fame
Someone has been eating too much travlerjam on their toasts.

I had missed the 25” and kevlar post. Lol

I think we’ve all been played or teachingprotx just realized that the jam is sour. Either way good one.
 

a12345

Professional
Yeah. I think not many people know how much strength is required to hit a 130 mph serve.

The answer to that is not much.

Justine Henin could Serve 110mph. She is 5"5 and weighed 57kg.

If you try to hit a serve "hard" it will not go very fast as you are using your muscles.

You must swing loosely like a pendulum to get maximum speed. You must swing the racket at the ball, you cannot hit the ball with the racket.

Youve all probably felt this before when you nail that 1 serve, your fastest and smoothest serve was very easy and felt like you werent trying.
 

a12345

Professional
In the OP's post he says it felt like the crazy hardest serve he could hit. If it felt that way then its likely he is not reaching his potential.

It shouldnt feel hard it should feel effortless and easy.

If you try to hit a golf ball hard it doesnt go that far, it must be free and easy like youre almost nonchalant in the stroke.
 

nvr2old

Hall of Fame
Don’t feel bad. I had the same epiphany. Bought the Zepp and prior to that counted frames on video for speed of serves. My best was I believe 92 one time and average in mid 80’s BUT double faulted many many many times and really didn’t play tennis. Wasn’t much fun for me or my opponents. Have since taken to using my second “kick-spin” serve (I call itcthat because it’s not really a kick and just passes for a serve at my age) and settle for getting ball in and starting the point and actually playing tennis. Think my serves are in mid 70’s (maybe lower I don’t know or care honestly) now. Ego took a hit but meh that’s ok.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
That’s some serious pace to crack a backhand at 88 mph! I have a one handed backhand and don’t think I could come close to that. On the forehand side I am sure if I am leaning to my right on the run, I could get close to that speed.
88 mph is very high and good. ATP tour guys hit 88 mph groundies most of the time. That is tour level speed. Anyway, I don't bother measuring my serve speed Unless It is one of those radar guns that hang on top of the fence behind me. Those radar guns that they use at the US open. Those are very accurate. Otherwise, those portable ones and ones they sell online have so much Variance and inaccurate, it just isn't worth it.
 
Well it was fun and I’m tempted to get one but after I have been reading online about these small portable radar guns they are really not very accurate and they aren’t cheap either . So now I’m second guessing everything . But it was a fun experiment . But in no way do I trust the numbers eithjer .
I wonder if I were to get one where would you Put it to get the most accurate reading? Like closer to you?
I did find it interesting how excited everyone got when that radar got pulled out though.
It was like a magnet to the court . Might be a fun thing to have at the club especially for our JR program kiddos , which I don’t work with , but still , might be worth the investment .
 
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Zoolander

Hall of Fame
Damn straight. Cop told me his radar had me doing 125kms in a 100 zone. Had the cruise control set for 110. Wish he’d timed a few serves for me.......

Think if OP used a pure drive XL with Nat gut in the 40’s you could prob hit 120 plus, so just blame your frankenracquet! That’s what I would do.
 
Ha!! I got pulled over just last week for not coming to a complete stop . I’m always a nervous wreck when I get pulled over . No matter what I’m positive I have cocaine or a dead body in the trunk . Riding dirty yall !
But yeah in all seriousness that’s why I play with my Frankenstein stick is cuz it takes all the power out of my shots so I can swing hard and have it still go sometimes in the court ...like every 5th ball comes close to going in.. it’s amazing to Me how horrible of a tennis player I can be at times ..
So yeah thanks Zoo! If I was playing with a normal racket I may have been able to get that serve closer to 100mph..
when I let people hit with my sticks they are sup rides I can hit over the net ... it’s a mystery to me too how I can still blast a shot out with these things still.. the other teaching pros at work call it my “ toothpicks “..
one cool thing about my Frankenstein sticks is I never have to worry anyone will steal them . I’ve left them on court over night and never a once taken ..
I digress back to the radar .....
I was most excited to see the forehand clocked and of course it was the weakest ..
zoo what are you playing with these days again ??
 
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Zoolander

Hall of Fame
Well I would be very interested if next time you got the machine you tried with a pure drive or modern racquet and see how much you improve. The 25 inches will cost a lot of power, the kevlar a fair bit, 12HL at 310g means no weight in the hoop, I want to know how much that costs you in mph!

Ha!! I got pulled over just last week for not coming to a complete stop . I’m always a nervous wreck when I get pulled over . No matter what I’m positive I have cocaine or a dead body in the trunk . Riding dirty yall !
But yeah in all seriousness that’s why I play with my Frankenstein stick is cuz it takes all the power out of my shots so I can swing hard and have it still go sometimes like every 5th ball comes close to going in
 

Djokovicfan

Professional
The answer to that is not much.

Justine Henin could Serve 110mph. She is 5"5 and weighed 57kg.

If you try to hit a serve "hard" it will not go very fast as you are using your muscles.

You must swing loosely like a pendulum to get maximum speed. You must swing the racket at the ball, you cannot hit the ball with the racket.

Youve all probably felt this before when you nail that 1 serve, your fastest and smoothest serve was very easy and felt like you werent trying.
“You must swing the racket at the ball, you cannot hit the ball with the racket.”
What do you mean by this?
 

a12345

Professional
“You must swing the racket at the ball, you cannot hit the ball with the racket.”
What do you mean by this?

Hitting the ball with the racket would be a bit like trying to hit a nail in a wall with a hammer, youre using your arm muscles to move the hammer.

If you swung the hammer at the nail that would be like using youre body weight to create momentum in the hammer that would really hit that nail with greater force. Your arm is almost passive and loose in this scenario, whilst in the first one youre actively using your arm muscles.

So a free loose serve resembles more of a Trebuchet Catapult, using momentum to fling something, your arm would be the rope.

250px-Trebuchet.jpg



djokovic-serve-EAR.jpg


In fact if you wanted to just throw a racket as far as you can, youll notice youll use little arm muscle and instead youll naturally fling your arm and the racket using your body weight.
 
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Anton

Legend
I've hit some serves with a radar 10 years ago, I think I've been playing for about 2 years at that point:



Keep in mind these measurements are ~10 mph slower than what the reading would be with a radar you see on tv, because those measure velocity right after impact

But I wouldn't worry too much about the velocity numbers. Placement, veriety and consistency are way more important.

Ten years later my serve game is way better because I can actually place it, though I doubt it's any faster....probbably even slower because I play more spin
 
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Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
What is everyone's opinion of the serving speed app called ServeSpeed? I have used it just a handful of times, and the first time my serve was labelled about 94 mph (see here), and the second was about 87, which I have not uploaded.

Can i trust these to be fairly accurate? It has a good rating on the app store and a lot of positive comments, but don't want to brag about the 94 if it's more like 75. Actually don't brag either way. lol
 
If I tried with a pure drive
I've hit some serves with a radar 10 years ago, I think I've been playing for about 2 years at that point:



Keep in mind these measurements are ~10 mph slower than what the reading would be with a radar you see on tv, because those measure velocity right after impact

But I wouldn't worry too much about the velocity numbers. Placement, veriety and consistency are way more important.

Ten years later my serve game is way better because I can actually place it, though I doubt it's any faster....probbably even slower because I play more spin
dude you are straight clocking it ! Awesome serve :)
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
In high school, I had a couple of serves clocked at 124. I was using an aluminum racket. When graphite came out, I know I could serve faster, but never had one clocked. My serve was definitely my strength when I played in HS. This was in 1975.
 

Anton

Legend
I've cleaned up my motion since my wild youth, this is more or less how I serve now to keep the double faults at bay and angles open.

 

alexmcnab

Rookie
I had a go a while ago on a friend's radar placed just the other side of the net. Only managed 75mph on serve which was a litle disappointing. Then I had a go on groundshots, wow, managed 108mph on a forehand and then a few minutes later 108mph on backhand. I was shocked, they both went in as well.
 
I had a go a while ago on a friend's radar placed just the other side of the net. Only managed 75mph on serve which was a litle disappointing. Then I had a go on groundshots, wow, managed 108mph on a forehand and then a few minutes later 108mph on backhand. I was shocked, they both went in as well.
108 wow !! That’s awesome
 
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