The quickest way to win a point is by serving an ace.
Whether that be down the middle, out wide, swinging away from the receiver or just beating them with pace.
The ace is a highly skilled proponent of tennis that has long seen the most successful players use it with efficiency and purpose.
America's John Isner has been arguably tennis' greatest exponent of the big serve, using his 208cm frame to gain increasingly different angles on the other side of the net.
Considered one of the best servers on tour, Isner was ranked as high as No.8 in singles and No.14 in doubles.
Turning pro in 2007 and recently retiring, the 39-year-old still holds the record for most aces ever, whilst also staking claims to the fastest-ever recorded serve of the ATP Tour at 253 km/h (157.2 mph).
Most aces in tennis history
- John Isner (USA) - 14,481
- Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 13,762
- Roger Federer (Switzerland) - 11,452
- Feliciano Lopez* (Spain) - 10,313
- Goran Ivanisevic (Croatia) - 10,131
- Andy Roddick (USA) - 9,067
- Sam Querrey (USA) - 8,939
- Pete Sampras (USA) - 8,689
- Milos Raonic* (Canada) - 8,242
- Marin Cilic* (Croatia) - 8,233
(* denotes active player)
Most aces (Grand Slam tournaments)
- Roger Federer (Switzerland) - 4,507
- John Isner (USA) - 3,729
- Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) - 3,329
- Pete Sampras (USA) - 3,090
- Novak Djokovic* (SRB) - 2,822
- Andy Roddick (USA) - 2,720
- Feliciano Lopez* (Spain) - 2,694
- Marin Cilic* (Croatia) - 2,665
- Milos Raonic* (Canada) - 2,653
- Goran Ivanisevic (Croatia) - 2,463
(* denotes active player)
