The answer is John Isner: he hit 113 aces against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. Mahut struck 103 of his own, giving the match 216 aces in total. It was an extraordinary serving display—and a record helped along by a match that lasted so long it became a piece of tennis history.
The record: John Isner’s 113 aces
Isner and Mahut met in the first round at Wimbledon in June 2010. Their match stretched across three days and took 11 hours and 5 minutes to finish. Isner eventually won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68.
| Player | Aces | Match result |
|---|---|---|
| John Isner | 113 | Won |
| Nicolas Mahut | 103 | Lost |
| Total | 216 | — |
The score explains why the ace count climbed so high. The fifth set alone lasted 138 games. At the time, Wimbledon had no final-set tiebreak, so the players had to keep going until one led by two games. Neither managed it until Isner finally broke through at 70–68.
Isner’s height and powerful serve made him one of the sport’s most formidable servers. Mahut was no passenger, though: he also served brilliantly, reaching 103 aces. Together, they produced an unusual match in which holding serve became the pattern and a break of serve was exceptionally hard to find.
Why the ace record is so high
An ace is a legal serve that the receiver does not touch. It wins the point outright, without a rally. A serve that the opponent gets a racket to but cannot return effectively may still win the point, but it is not counted as an ace.
Big servers can build up aces quickly, especially on grass, where the ball tends to stay low and move through the court. A fast serve aimed at the receiver’s body, or sent wide to pull them off the court, can leave little time to react. Isner combined power with placement; Mahut had the skill to answer with a strong serve of his own.
But even a top server needs enough points—and enough games—to approach a record like this. A straightforward three-set win offers far fewer chances than a marathon five-set match. Isner and Mahut played 183 games, creating an exceptional number of opportunities to serve.
Other notable single-match ace records
Isner’s total is the standout men’s singles mark from a professional match, but other records help put it in perspective. The women’s singles record is much lower, in part because women’s Grand Slam matches are best of three sets rather than best of five.
| Record or milestone | Player or match | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Most aces by one player in a match | John Isner | 113 against Nicolas Mahut, Wimbledon 2010 |
| Most aces by a woman in a match | Kristýna Plíšková | 31 against Monica Puig, Australian Open 2016 |
| Aces by Isner’s opponent in the record match | Nicolas Mahut | 103 against Isner, Wimbledon 2010 |
Kristýna Plíšková’s 31 aces against Monica Puig remains the commonly cited women’s singles match record. Plíšková hit them in a three-set match at the 2016 Australian Open. It’s a remarkable total: she produced more than a full set’s worth of aces, even though she did not win the match.
Records can be presented differently depending on whether a source counts only a particular tour, event or match format. Isner’s 113 is the headline figure for a completed professional men’s singles match; comparisons across eras and competitions should always take the format and available statistics into account.
Would the record happen today?
It is possible for a player to hit more than 100 aces, but the 2010 Wimbledon conditions made Isner’s record especially hard to replicate. The match took place before the Grand Slams adopted a common final-set tiebreak. Since 2022, all four majors have used a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set. That rule prevents a fifth set from continuing for dozens of games.
A match can still become long, and a player can still pile up aces. But under the current Grand Slam format, there is a firm endpoint to the final set. Reaching 113 would likely require a highly unusual combination: an exceptionally long match, two excellent servers, and repeated holds of serve.
That doesn’t make the record merely a product of the rules. Isner had to keep delivering under enormous physical and mental strain, and Mahut had to serve well enough to stay alongside him. The format gave them room to set the mark; their serving made it possible.
How to read ace totals in context
A high ace count is impressive, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of a match. A player may hit many aces and still lose, as the Isner–Mahut match itself demonstrates for Mahut. Aces also depend on how often a player serves, how long the match lasts, and the opponent’s returning ability.
- Check the match length: More sets and games mean more chances to serve.
- Look at the format: Five-set matches generally offer more opportunities than best-of-three matches.
- Consider the surface: Grass and some fast indoor courts can reward aggressive serving.
- Read the score alongside the ace total: A player can serve brilliantly without winning the match.
For a quick answer, Isner’s 113 is the number to remember. For the full story, remember Mahut’s 103, the 216 combined aces, and that remarkable 70–68 fifth set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has hit the most aces in one tennis match?
John Isner holds the widely recognized men’s singles record, with 113 aces against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.
How many aces did Nicolas Mahut hit in that match?
Mahut hit 103. The two players combined for 216 aces during the match.
What is the women’s record for aces in a match?
Kristýna Plíšková is credited with the women’s singles record of 31 aces against Monica Puig at the 2016 Australian Open.
Why did the Isner–Mahut match last so long?
At the time, Wimbledon did not use a final-set tiebreak. The players had to continue until one led by two games, and Isner eventually won the fifth set 70–68.
Final Thoughts
The most aces by one player in a tennis match is 113, hit by John Isner in his 2010 Wimbledon match against Nicolas Mahut. The number is staggering, but the context makes it even more memorable: a three-day contest, 216 aces between the players, and a fifth set that lasted 138 games. With today’s Grand Slam tiebreak rules, that particular kind of marathon is far less likely to happen again.
