[Kuhne]

Just gona give a few recent options so if you have another opinion just write it in!

Notable things each has achieved with their serve

Goran Ivanisevic - has the record of most aces in a single season (has this been broken already?) and basicaly won Wimbledon with his serve alone.

Pete Sampras - no need to say what he achieved.

Andy Roddick - makes the crowd go "ooooohhh! aaaaahh" each time he serves a lightyear speed serve... that's about all it does tho..

Ivo Karlovic - as on one of the posts here, 95% of service games and aced more than 20 times every match in one season.

Roger Federer - When it's on, even his greatest rivals seem to be cought off guard (think Nadal or Safin in that last set in wimby when they were both playing great tennis)

 

[Johnny Groove]

Isner, no doubt. The way he can serve his way to the Washington final and take a set from Fed, STRICTLY on serve was fantastic

 

[marcRD]

Karlovic, there is no point arguing against this. No one else has ever won 95% of service games and aced more than 20 times every match in one season.

 

[RagingLamb]

serve + great volley = countless cheap points

 

[Apemant]

serve + great volley = countless cheap points

Sampy obviously made the most out of his serving ability... but, like you correctly notice, it's not JUST serve. It's serve backed up by wonderful volley. If Karlovic could volley like that he'd be basically unbreakable... so I don't think volleying skills should be a part of the equation. Otherwise you might as well lump together baseline play after a good serve, which would make Nadal an amazing server. :devil:

So, it has to be Karlovic, due to height basically. Isner's is just a tad less awesome, but his 2nd is better. Of them 'normal' people (up to, say, 195 cm) I'd go with Goran, for his uncanny ability of hitting corners even if his serve was nowhere near Roddick's in power department.

 

[hra87]

I didn't realize time began in 1988...

 

[Apemant]

I didn't realize time began in 1988...

Meaning? Which player before Sampras you think can compare favourably with those in the poll?

 

[RagingLamb]

Sampy obviously made the most out of his serving ability... but, like you correctly notice, it's not JUST serve. It's serve backed up by wonderful volley. If Karlovic could volley like that he'd be basically unbreakable... so I don't think volleying skills should be a part of the equation. Otherwise you might as well lump together baseline play after a good serve, which would make Nadal an amazing server. :devil:

So, it has to be Karlovic, due to height basically. Isner's is just a tad less awesome, but his 2nd is better. Of them 'normal' people (up to, say, 195 cm) I'd go with Goran, for his uncanny ability of hitting corners even if his serve was nowhere near Roddick's in power department.

I agree with what you're saying.

I just find it amusing that Kuhne thinks Serving & Volleying like Sampras gets you cheap points.

I admire all the players today who take the high road and earn points from the baseline.

 

[stebs]

Karlovic by far enough that this shouldn't even be a debate. Aces per serves Karlovic >>> anyone else.

 

[Tommy fan]

Goran Ivanesevic

 

[BodyServe]

Karlovic
He is the only server capable to hit a 140 mph serve out wide on the deuce court (where it's supposed to be sliced serve).
Other big servers hit them at 115-125 mph max.
Moreover,no one has ever been as dominant as him on their service game.

 

[Dougie]

Meaning? Which player before Sampras you think can compare favourably with those in the poll?

Comparing different eras is pointless, especially in a discussion like this, where racket technology plays a big part. But Bill Tilden for example, is said to have had a huge serve. His serve was timed at 163 mph in 1931, but of course that figure is very questionable, because the technology to measure serve speeds was less than reliable back then. But yes, there were great servers before Sampras, and it´s not all about the speed.

 

[Frederick16]

serve + great volley = countless cheap points

ivaniceviv krajicek sampras

 

[George Graham]

Isner should be in the poll. However, anyone who votes for a player other than Karlovic deserves automatic top 10 seeding for the ACC next year. And Roger has a good serve but he should not be in the poll. Imagine what he would be like if he had Karlovic's serve.

 

[nanoman]

Karlovic, just open your eyes.

 

[elessar]

Like others have said Karlovic's is the greatest I've ever seen. Pete's was a fantastic weapon but what was truly remarkable was the way he kept making aces at the most important times. He even said once that if he had to borrow a shot from someone it would be Ivanisevic's serve

 

[ReturnWinner]

Karlovic.

 

[Kuhne]

I mean sampras got cheap points but by no means I am trying to undermine what he achieved.. he got into the position to win those points the way he did.. it's all about his retardedly great skill at being agresive.

I think its a tie between Ivo and Goran.. when Goran's serve was on, I think it was just inhuman

 

[sawan66278]

Pete had the most clutch serve of all time. But I'm sorry: Karlovic vs. Goran? Goran was a LIVING SERVE. His first serve...No comparison. Do you realize who he defeated with that serve? How many Wimbledon finals he played...basically reaching that far with only a serve? AND winning with only a serve the most prestigious title in sport!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly how many times has former #1 players has Dr. Ivo defeated? Vs. Goran...who defeated...only using his left arm!!!!!!!!!!

Forget the Fugitive: Goran was the only man ever worthy of being referred to as the "One-Armed Man"

 

[dijus]

dr Ivo