Andy Roddick Sets Record Fastest Serve Ever

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150 miles-per-hour (241 kph for you Brits). Pretty impressive, I admit. But is it good for the game? Is watching a guy get aced with a 150 mph serve that much cooler than watching him get aced with a 140 mph, or even 130 mph?


Image from BBC Sports Academy

At the risk of sounding like an old-fogie, I miss the good old days of tennis, when Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe went at it, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg went at it, and even when Ivan Lendl and Matts Wilander faced off.

Pete Sampras was so dominant for so long and no one cared. But people wondered why no one cared. The predominat theory was that Sampras just didn't have the emotion or charisma to grab people's attention, but that's bullshit. Granted he was a bit stoic, but he was a good-looking, very articulate guy. I think no one cared because tennis (especially men's tennis) has gone to the shitter with the lightweight, over-sized racquets. Also, the athletes are bigger and stronger. The sport has turned into a pissing contest, rather than a game of finesse and strategy.

That's why Roger Federer is my favorite men's player playing today. He is the last of the Mohicans, in terms of a men's tennins players who can play with grace and finesse in this era of speed and power.

And look at how the Williams sisters took over the women's game: through speed and power. It won't be long until the women's game is as boring to watch as the men's.

Very rarely do I think sports should keep from evolving, but I do often think the game of tennis would be better off if it went old school. Bring back the rallies and the serve and volley at the net, even if it means making players use wooden racquets again.

By the way, if anyone wants to learn how to serve like Roddick, click here.