What Is An Ace In Tennis? Definition, Guide, Tips, & Stats
Tennis is gaining momentum and popularity all over the world. And now, millions of players actively participate in this difficult sport. But you need to understand the basics and rules of it. And to start with, do you know what an ace is in tennis matches?
Ace occurs when the opponent fails to touch the ball when the player serves it. However, an ace will only be counted if it lands inside the service box, that too, without touching the markings.
But there are many ways and techniques to improve your ace-taking shots. So now, the SportsMonkie team will take a dive into the techniques and guides of aces. Stay with us; we got you covered!
Definition Of Ace In Tennis
An ace is a term used in tennis to describe a serve that is untouched by the opponent and lands inside the service box.
It is a powerful shot that can be a game-changer for the server, as it typically results in an easy point. But you need even more power to execute it on big tennis courts.
Bonus: What Is A Walkover In Tennis? – A Detailed Guide & Stats
What Is A Return Ace In Tennis?
In tennis, a return ace is when the opponent hits a return shot that goes straight out of play, giving the server an instant point.
This is a rare occurrence and happens only when the returner misjudges the serve.
Marking Of An Ace In Scoring Sheet
In the scoring sheet, an ace is marked with the letter “A” and is typically recorded as a separate statistic from other types of tennis serves.
This helps to give an accurate picture of a player’s serving ability and how often they are able to hit aces.
How To Execute A Perfect Ace?
To deliver a perfect ace, a player must hit the ball with speed, accuracy, and spin so that it lands inside the service box and away from the opponent’s reach.
It is important to focus on the technique, keeping the arm straight and using the wrist to generate power.
Step-By-Step Guide To Improve Your Ace
- Step 1: Start with a strong and consistent service motion, developing a consistent toss and proper ball placement.
- Step 2: Practice serving from different angles and with varying degrees of spin and pace to keep opponents guessing.
- Step 3: Focus on the placement of the serve, aiming for the corners of the service box to make it harder for the returner to reach the ball.
- Step 4: Increase your overall strength and fitness to generate more power on your serve. Some scientists say you can generate more power if you grunt during tennis matches.
- Step 5: Work on mental toughness, developing the confidence to go for an ace and not worry about making mistakes.
It will take a bit of time, persistence, and practice to picture-perfect your ace during any type of serve. So, give it some time and practice in a consistent way to achieve that.
Most Career Aces In Pro Tennis (Male & Female)
Some of the best male players along with some of the greatest female tennis stars are known for their breathtaking aces. So, below is a table containing the top five male and female tennis players with the most total aces and total matches:
| Player Name | Total Career Aces | Total Matches Taken |
| Men | ||
| Ivo Karlovic | 13,524 | 716 |
| Goran Ivanisevic | 10,183 | 907 |
| Roger Federer | 10,139 | 1,529 |
| John Isner | 10,099 | 762 |
| Pete Sampras | 8,858 | 1,189 |
| Women | ||
| Kristyna Pliskova | 2,610 | 446 |
| Venus Williams | 2,291 | 919 |
| Serena Williams | 2,244 | 970 |
| Julia Goerges | 1,683 | 487 |
| Karolina Pliskova | 1,615 | 572 |
Fastest Aces In International Opens
Many grand slams have witnessed amazing pace and accuracy in aces executed by pro players. And here is a list of the top five fastest aces in international opens:
- Samuel Groth (263.4 km/hr.) – 2012 Busan Open
- Albano Olivetti (257.5 km/hr.) – 2012 Bordeaux Challenger
- Ivo Karlovic (251 km/hr.) – 2011 Davis Cup
- John Isner (253 km/hr.) – 2016 Davis Cup
- Milos Raonic (249.9 km/hr.) – 2012 SAP Open
Most Number Of Aces In A Single Match In Men’s Open
Legendary tennis players, such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are known for delivering some amazing paces. And here is a table of the five most aces in a single men’s match.
| Player | Against | Competition | Total Aces |
| John Isner | Nicolas Mahut | 2010 Wimbledon | 113 |
| Nicolas Mahut | Nicolas Mahut | 2010 Wimbledon | 113 |
| Ivo Karlovic | Radek Stepanek | 2009 Davis Cup | 98 |
| Ivo Karlovic | Jonas Bjorkman | 2005 Rotterdam | 95 |
| Goran Ivanisevic | Magnus Larsson | 1996 Australian Open | 95 |
It’s worth noting that the first two entries on this list are from the same match, which is considered the longest tennis match in history, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over the course of three days.
The match was played at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, with Isner ultimately coming out on top.
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Most Number Of Aces In A Single Match In Women’s Open
Like their male counterparts, talented and beautiful tennis players are also not behind! Here goes a table containing the five most aces in a single match in the international women’s open.
| Player | Against | Competition | Total Aces |
| Kristyna Pliskova | Monica Puig | 2016 Australian Open | 31 |
| Kristyna Pliskova | Timea Babos | 2016 Wimbledon | 27 |
| Sabine Lisicki | Belinda Bencic | 2015 Birmingham | 27 |
| Serena Williams | Zheng Jie | 2012 Wimbledon | 24 |
| Venus Williams | Maria Sharapova | 2007 Wimbledon | 23 |
Kristyna Pliskova appears twice on this list and is the only player to hit over 30 aces in a single match in the women’s tournament. Serena and Venus Williams also make it to the list with impressive performances at Wimbledon.
Final Note
Executing a perfect ace needs a lot of practice and dedication. So, if you are trying to achieve a perfect shot in your serve, invest your time in executing different serves from different angles. Besides, you also need to work on your core strength to generate more power.
So, that’s all we have for the aces in tennis. Feel free to drop your queries or start a conversation with us in the comment section below!
