The best servers in the history of modern tennis: From the '80s to the present day.

The serve is one of the most important strokes in modern tennis. Since the 1980s, the serve has gone from being an important tool to become a lethal weapon capable of defining matches and entire careers. We will now review the greatest servers from that decade to the present day.

Players like Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick and so many others have gone down in history in part for having relied on this resource that often got them out of trouble and helped them to put pressure on their opponent's service games.

Ivan Lendl: Precision and Strategy

Ivan Lendl, one of the dominant figures of the 1980s, revolutionized tennis with his methodical approach and powerful serve. Although not the fastest, his serve combined precision and consistency, leading him to dominate from the baseline;

Boris Becker: Boom boom

In 1985 the tennis world witnessed a historic event when a teenage Boris Becker won the Wimbledon title. "Boom boom" (the nickname he received for his powerful serve) based his game precisely on that valuable resource combined with an effective volley. Becker would end up with six Grand Slam titles to his credit.

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Pete Sampras: "Pistol Pete".

Sampras is considered one of the best tennis players of all time and a virtuoso of the serve. His first serve was absolutely devastating, with a perfect execution mechanics and very difficult to decipher for the rest.

However, Sampras went a step further, thoroughly training his second serve. Over the years, the 7-time Wimbledon champion's second serve came to incorporate a combination of spin and speed that made it as dangerous as his first. The American won a total of 14 Grand Slam titles and spent 286 weeks as world No. 1; achievements that would have been impossible without such a serve.

Goran Ivanisevic: The left-hander of aces

Croatian Goran Ivanisevic stood out for his explosive serve, especially dangerous on fast surfaces such as grass. In 2001 he wrote one of the most memorable pages in the history of Wimbledon, reaching the tournament thanks to a wild card and becoming the first and only player to achieve this milestone. Ivanisevic led the aces statistics in several seasons, also benefiting from his left-handed condition, complicating his rivals by achieving impossible angles.

Ivo Karlovic: The giant who finished off the serve

With a height of 2.11 meters, Ivo Karlovic is one of the tallest players in the history of tennis, which logically gave him a unique advantage when serving. During his career, he served at over 250 km/h and accumulated more than 13,000 aces, leading in this category in several seasons. Although he was unable to win Grand Slam titles, his serve kept him in competition for two decades.

Andy Roddick: The 21st Century Puncher

2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick was one of the most lethal servers of the new millennium. His serve reached record speeds, reaching the 249 km/h mark on several occasions. Roddick managed to reach the top of the ranking mainly due to this stroke, and remained for years among the best in the world.

Roger Federer: Elegance and Variety

Roger Federer is an example that the serve does not always depend on raw power. His serve, although not the fastest, was characterized by its precision and his ability to vary directions and spin, keeping his opponents in constant uncertainty. Federer amassed 20 Grand Slam titles and set a record of 310 weeks as world number one. His serve was key to his longevity and success on all surfaces.

Roger Federer exuded elegance and variety.

John Isner: The Unstoppable Force

American John Isner is another player whose serve is his main weapon. With a height of 2.08 meters, he registered one of the fastest serves in history, reaching 253 km/h (155 mph). His ability to rack up aces led him to set records, including the longest match in history, played against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010. Although he has not won Grand Slam titles, his serve has been a constant threat to the best players in the world.

Milos Raonic: Canadian Powerhouse

Milos Raonic, known for his powerful and accurate serve, has also made a mark in modern tennis. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2016, where his serve was crucial in defeating elite players on his way to the deciding match. Raonic has recorded serve speeds in excess of 240 km/h, making him one of the best servers of his generation.

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev: Today's top performers

To speak of the present, surely the two best exponents in terms of a great serve are world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Alexander Zverev.

The Italian has perfected a serve that combines speed, accuracy and consistency, making it a fundamental tool for his aggressive style of play. Sinner uses his serve as a weapon to dominate from the first hit and close points with authority.

Another player who subdues his opponents with his serve is the German. Zverev has established himself as one of the best servers today. Although his serve is not the fastest (although it can reach 220 km/h), he can achieve very good angles thanks to his almost 2 meters high, which makes him a very valuable resource and capable of exploiting it on any surface;

The serve has evolved to become one of the most decisive tools in tennis. As the sport continues to advance, the serve will remain an essential part of the game and future generations will continue to develop it and push the limits of perfection in this stroke.