At this year’s Wimbledon, tennis enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to test their skills against some of the sport’s most formidable serves through a 5G-powered robotic serving machine. Developed by Vodafone, the machine replicates serves from Centre Court players with precise speed, angle, and trajectory, delivering the ball within a second of the original hit during live matches.
The robotic server is programmed with historic serves from notable players such as Andy Roddick, known for his powerful “thunderclap” serve; John Isner, who holds the official record for the fastest serve at an elite event; and Giovanni Mpeshi Perricard, the current record holder for the fastest serve at Wimbledon. Fans can also experience serving styles from Roger Federer, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray, including Murray’s winning serve from the 2016 Wimbledon final and McEnroe’s famous 1981 “you cannot be serious” match.
The experience takes place at tennis courts located in Wimbledon Park, where visitors face off against the imposing four-metre robotic arm, which moves along the baseline to deliver serves replicating speeds ranging from McEnroe’s 110 mph to Pete Sampras’s peak of 146 mph. The robot’s advanced motion tracking allows users to anticipate serve placement by following its head as it aligns before releasing the ball.
While the challenge proved difficult, even for those with some tennis experience, participants reported the thrill of returning a few serves, albeit with limited control and consistency. The exercise highlighted the significant difficulty of returning professional serves, especially those exceeding speeds of 120 mph. The physical impact was evident, with some players experiencing arm and wrist strain after multiple attempts.
The robotic simulation is designed to provide insight into the extreme power and precision exhibited by professional players, shedding light on a skill that remains one of the most challenging aspects of tennis. Jamie Murray, two-time Wimbledon doubles champion and brother of Andy Murray, emphasized the complexity of returning top-tier serves, noting it as a feat few will ever master.
The fastest tennis serve recorded in competition stands at 157 mph, achieved by John Isner during the 2016 Davis Cup. Although Australian player Sam Groth recorded a 163 mph serve at the 2012 Busan Open Challenger event, that achievement is not recognized within the elite ATP Tour.
The serving machine is available daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering fans a rare, hands-on glimpse into the demands faced by the game’s elite athletes. According to a Vodafone survey, about one-third of people believe they could return a professional tennis serve, though this interactive experience may challenge that perception.