Who has/had the best second serve in Men's tennis?

[JRAJ1988]

I liked the Mark Philippoussis second serve, one which was hit with the same wildebeest grunting velocity.

Who in your opinion has currently the most effective second serve in mens tennis?

Who had the most effective second serve in historical terms?

The serve is as important a weapon as the Forehand/Backhand but when the pressure is one with that second serve it really does separate the men from the boys.

 

[90's Clay]

No Brainer.. Sampras. The confidence he had with that 2nd serve was bar none

 

[Backspin1183]

Pistol Sampras!

 

[JRAJ1988]

Honestly how could I forget Sampras? He did have an awesome second serve which reeked of confidence.

 

[forzamilan90]

Sampras is the consensus choice here

 

[Crose]

Sampras. I'm not gonna say "and it's not even close", but it's at the top quite comfortably.

 

[Lovely_Bone]

Sir John has it

 

[ultradr]

In current tour, among top 15, I would say it is still Federer's.
But we do not exactly have great 2nd servers in this generation.:???:

 

[Backspin1183]

In current tour, among top 15, I would say it is still Federer's.
But we do not exactly have great 2nd servers in this generation.:???:

I'm not sure Federer's 2nd serve is that good. Nadal feeds on it almost every time. It's good but not the best.

Isner's got a very good 2nd serve.

 

[Rock Strongo]

If we were to deduce Sampras, Roddick, and all the giants, who would have the best one then?

 

[PSNELKE]

All time: Sir Pistol Pete
Active: Sir John Isner

 

[Graf=GOAT]

All time: Sir Pistol Pete
Active: Sir John Isner

As a standalone shot, Isner's second serve is miles ahead of Sampras. In fact Isner's second serve is easily the greatest second serve of all time.

 

[Roger Wawrinka]

Definitely Sampras.

 

[Tenez101]

Sampras, no question.

 

[Graf1stClass]

petey. sometimes you couldn't tell if it was meant to be a second serve.

 

[Tenez101]

petey. sometimes you couldn't tell if it was meant to be a second serve.

It would more accurately be called a "second first serve".

 

[rh310]

It would more accurately be called a "second first serve".

No, that was Goran.

Isner has sick kick on his second, but let's see how many GS he wins with it before saying it's better than Pete's.

 

[Graf=GOAT]

No, that was Goran.

Isner has sick kick on his second, but let's see how many GS he wins with it before saying it's better than Pete's.

Sampras had huge game to back up his serve though, he wouldn't win 14GS with just serve. Isner won tournaments and got top 10 wins by literally serving other players off court. Isner, I would consider an all serve player, Sampras definitely was not. I repeat, as a STANDALONE shot, Isner's second serve is better than Sampras'.

 

[anantak2k]

As a standalone shot, Isner's second serve is miles ahead of Sampras. In fact Isner's second serve is easily the greatest second serve of all time.

I agree with this. By itself, Isner's second is is absolutely monsterous!

Overall best second serve which includes not only the serve by itself but also how the player backs it up, then its definitely Sampras.

 

[Nostradamus]

Better question is who has the BEST 2nd serve with Men 6 foot 2 inches or below ? IF you are above that height, it is easy to have great 2nd serves

 

[llodra_fan]

If only non-giants are considered then Sampras, no doubt. Federe and Nadal would come next. Federer used to generate monster kicks in his primes, now not so much. Nadal's placement on his 2nd serve is usually pinpoint accurate and makes the opponent very uncomfortable and keep guessing.

 

[Russeljones]

I'm not sure Federer's 2nd serve is that good. Nadal feeds on it almost every time. It's good but not the best.

Isner's got a very good 2nd serve.

So you base your opinion on his matchup disadvantage? lol

Sampras >>> Federer >> rest.

 

[merwy]

Currently, I think Isner has the best 2nd serve. It's a kick serve but still pretty fast and very strong.
I don't think Federer's 2nd serve is that good. I remember matches against Berdych where Berdych had no problem smacking that 2nd serve for a return winner.

 

[captainbryce]

Best second serves:
1. Pete Sampras (most effective overall)
2. John Isner (biggest kick serve/angles)
3. Andy Roddick (fastest/most consistent)
4. Goran Ivanisevic (lefty kick/slider)
5. Roger Federer (best placement)

Honorable mentions:
6. Milos Raonic
7. Ivo Karlovic
8. Feliciano Lopez
9. Ryan Harrison
10. Novak Djokovic

 

[Tennis sensation]

Pete Sampras

 

[Roddick85]

Of all time? Sampras.

Currently? Federer.

 

[NatF]

Sampras, Roddick and Federer have or had excellent second serves. Roddick's especially is underrated in my opinion.

Obviously guys like Isner who are giants have the best second serves overall, but for their height the guys I mentioned above had phenomenal ones.

 

[President]

He doesn't have the best one, but Ryan Harrison's second serve is phenomenal, especially for a lower ranked player.

 

[captainbryce]

He doesn't have the best one, but Ryan Harrison's second serve is phenomenal, especially for a lower ranked player.

Agreed. One of the reasons I put him on my list of honorable mentions. He's one of the few players today that actually uses his second serve as a weapon (similar to Andy Roddick). If Ryan Harrison ever manages to win a big tournament or climb higher in the rankings, people would actually be able to see how effective his second serve is.

 

[stringertom]

I'll go a bit old school...John McEnroe. You don't become a concurrent #1 singles and dubs player on a circuit dominated by faster, low-bouncing surfaces without a killer second serve!

 

[Vcore89]

Pistol Pete of course, as good as some other guy's first serve. Rodge too, same service motion and tossing except for the hitting part!