Not Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova picks the best serve ever

When tennis fans talk about the greatest players in history, the conversation usually turns to the Big Three: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Between them, they’ve racked up a collection of Grand Slams, records, and accolades. However, when talking about individual shots, some players might come first in the rankings. At least, according to Martina Navratilova.

Cited by BBC Sport in 2020, Navratilova said that Pete Sampras might have had the best serve in the history of the sport. “Sampras had the most amazing serve – ever, I think,” she said. “And he had an unbelievable second serve, he could pull out aces with that too.”

It’s a big statement, but one that’s hard to argue against given Sampras’ career. Known as “Pistol Pete” for the speed and precision of his serve, he was a dominant force throughout the 1990s.

Sampras won 14 Grand Slam titles, including seven Wimbledon crowns, five US Opens, and two Australian Opens. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 286 weeks, third-most in men’s history, and ended six straight seasons as the year-end No. 1.

Pete Sampras in 1999 (Jeff Gross /Allsport)

He burst onto the scene with a US Open title in 1990 at just 19, and dominated Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000, only losing the title in 1996. He ended up one title away from equalizing Bjorn Borg’s consecutive crowns at the Championships.

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She was World No. 2, defeated Venus Williams but was forced to retire at just 27 due to injury

Martina Navratilova’s own incredible career

While she has been working as a commentator since her retirement, Navratilova is also one of the legends of the sport. Her career spanned over two decades, and the numbers speak for themselves: 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 women’s doubles majors, and 10 in mixed doubles. No player in the Open Era has won more combined major titles.

She also was ranked world No. 1 in singles for 332 weeks, and a record 237 weeks in doubles. Her 59 total major titles and 167 singles trophies are records that still stand. Wimbledon was her most dominant stage. From 1978 to 1990, she won nine singles titles there, more than anyone in history.