What Is an Ace in Tennis? Definition, Records & How to Hit One
What is an ace in tennis? An ace is one of the most exciting moments in the sport — a serve so good the receiver can't even touch it. This guide covers the full definition, the all-time ace records in professional tennis, and practical tips to help you hit more aces in your own game.
What Is an Ace in Tennis?
An ace in tennis is a legal serve that the receiver fails to touch with their racket, winning the point immediately for the server. The ball must land in the correct service box — if it lands out, it's a fault, not an ace.
An ace can be hit on either the first or second serve. First serve aces are more common because servers typically hit their first serve harder. Second serve aces are rarer and more impressive — they require exceptional placement or spin to beat a prepared receiver.
Ace in Tennis: Official Definition
According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), an ace is defined as:
"A serve that lands in the correct service box and is not touched by the receiver, winning the point for the server."
Key conditions for an ace:
- The serve must be legal — no foot fault, no double bounce
- The ball must land in the correct diagonal service box
- The receiver must not touch the ball with their racket
- If the receiver touches the ball but cannot return it, it is not an ace — it is a service winner
Ace vs Service Winner: What's the Difference?
Players often confuse aces with service winners. Here's the distinction:
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Serve lands in, receiver doesn't touch it | Ace |
| Serve lands in, receiver touches it but can't return | Service winner (not an ace) |
| Serve lands out | Fault |
| Serve clips net and lands in | Let — replay |
An ace requires zero contact from the receiver. A service winner is any serve that wins the point directly, including those the receiver touches but cannot return.
All-Time Ace Records in Professional Tennis
Aces are tracked in professional tennis and some players have built their entire game around the serve. Here are the all-time ace leaders:
Men's All-Time Ace Leaders (ATP)
- Ivo Karlovic — 13,728 aces (all-time record)
- Feliciano Lopez — 12,000+ aces
- Goran Ivanisevic — 10,183 aces
- Roger Federer — 11,000+ aces
- John Isner — 13,000+ aces
Women's All-Time Ace Leaders (WTA)
- Serena Williams — one of the highest ace totals in WTA history
- Venus Williams — known for one of the fastest serves in women's tennis
- Karolina Pliskova — consistently among the WTA leaders in aces per season
Single Match Ace Records
- Most aces in a single match (men): 78 aces — Ivo Karlovic vs Horacio Zeballos, Davis Cup 2009
- Most aces in a Grand Slam match: 51 aces — John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut, Wimbledon 2010 (the longest match in tennis history)
How Many Aces Per Match Is Normal?
The number of aces per match varies significantly by player and surface:
- Big servers (e.g. Karlovic, Isner): 20–30+ aces per match
- Average ATP player: 5–10 aces per match
- Average WTA player: 2–5 aces per match
- Club level player: 0–3 aces per match
Surface also matters. Grass courts (like Wimbledon) produce more aces because the ball stays low and skids through quickly. Clay courts produce fewer aces because the ball slows down and bounces higher, giving receivers more time to react.
How to Hit More Aces in Tennis
Hitting aces consistently requires a combination of pace, placement, and disguise. Here's how to develop a more ace-threatening serve:
1. Use the Continental Grip
The continental grip (hammer grip) is essential for generating the pronation and spin needed for a powerful, accurate serve. Players using an eastern forehand grip to serve will struggle to generate the pace and placement needed for aces.
2. Target the Wide and T Zones
The two most ace-productive zones in the service box are:
- Wide: Pulls the receiver off the court, especially effective on the deuce side for right-handers
- T (centre): Limits the angle of return, catches receivers who cheat wide
Body serves rarely produce aces but are effective for jamming the receiver and setting up the next shot.
3. Vary Your Placement
Receivers who know where your serve is going will rarely be aced. Vary between wide, T, and body serves throughout the match. The ace often comes when the receiver guesses wrong.
4. Maximise Racket Head Speed
Ace pace comes from racket head speed, not muscle. Focus on a smooth trophy position, a full drop into the back-scratch position, and explosive pronation through contact. Trying to muscle the ball produces tension and reduces speed.
5. Use Spin to Create Angles
A flat serve is fast but predictable. A kick serve or slice serve can produce aces through movement rather than pure pace — the ball kicks away from the receiver or slides wide off the court, making it unreachable even at moderate speed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ace in Tennis
What is an ace in tennis?
An ace in tennis is a legal serve that lands in the correct service box and is not touched by the receiver, winning the point immediately for the server. The receiver must not make any contact with the ball for it to be counted as an ace.
Does an ace count on a second serve?
Yes. An ace can be hit on either the first or second serve. Second serve aces are rarer because servers typically hit their second serve with more spin and less pace, but they do happen — especially at the professional level.
What is the difference between an ace and a service winner?
An ace is a serve the receiver does not touch at all. A service winner is a serve that wins the point directly but which the receiver makes contact with — they touch the ball but cannot return it. Both win the point immediately, but only the untouched serve counts as an ace.
Who has the most aces in tennis history?
Ivo Karlovic holds the all-time ATP record with over 13,700 career aces. John Isner is also among the all-time leaders. In a single match, Karlovic hit 78 aces against Horacio Zeballos in a 2009 Davis Cup tie.
How do I hit more aces?
Focus on the continental grip, target the wide and T zones, vary your placement to keep receivers guessing, and maximise racket head speed through pronation rather than muscling the ball. Spin serves — kick and slice — can also produce aces through movement rather than pure pace.
