Sabine Lisicki

A 131.0 mph serve launched during the 2014 Stanford Classic established a world record for the fastest serve by a female tennis player that held for four years. Sabine Lisicki, born in 1989 in Troisdorf, Germany, rose to international prominence through a aggressive, power-based playing style that defined her ascent within the professional tennis ranks.

Professional Emergence

Lisicki turned professional in 2006, following early training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Her career trajectory saw significant momentum in 2009 when she secured her first WTA Tour title at the Family Circle Cup. This period marked a transition from ITF Circuit success, where she claimed titles in Jersey and Toronto, to main-draw impact on the global stage.

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Wimbledon Achievements and Setbacks

Grass court success became a signature of her performance, highlighted by a 2011 run to the Wimbledon semifinals as a wildcard, a feat only achieved by one other woman in the tournament's history. She reached the Wimbledon final in 2013, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Marion Bartoli. Her career was periodically interrupted by severe injuries, including an ankle injury sustained at the 2010 Indian Wells Open and a subsequent recurrence in 2012 that hampered her ability to maintain a consistent presence at the top of the WTA rankings.

Doubles and Records

Beyond her singles performance, she found success in doubles competition, winning the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix twice—partnering with Samantha Stosur in 2011 and Mona Barthel in 2013. She also secured victory at the 2014 Miami Open with Martina Hingis. In 2015, she set a record for the most aces in a singles match during the Birmingham Classic, landing 27 before the mark was later eclipsed.