Serve Points Won (First and Second Serve)
Also known as: first serve points won, second serve points won, 1st serve points won, 2nd serve points won, service points won, first serve points won percentage, second serve points won percentage, serve points won percentage
First-serve points won is the share of points you win when your first serve lands in. Second-serve points won is the share you win when the point goes to a second serve. The gap between the two shows how much your second serve is costing you.
These two stats split your service points by the serve that started the point. First-serve points won is the points won after a first serve lands, divided by the first serves that landed. Second-serve points won is the points won after a second serve, divided by the points that went to a second serve. Stat providers do not all treat double faults the same way. Some count only second serves that land. Check the definition before you compare numbers.
Players usually win first-serve points far more often than second-serve points. The first serve is faster, and the receiver has to defend. Tennis Abstract reported that in 2015, top-10 men on the ATP tour won 75.6% of first-serve points and 55.4% of second-serve points. Club numbers vary widely and have no official benchmark. The most useful comparisons are with your own past matches and with your opponent's numbers in the same match.
Read them together with first-serve percentage and double faults. A high first-serve percentage with a low first-serve points-won figure means the first serve lands but does not hurt the opponent. A low second-serve figure means opponents are attacking it. If your second serve is weak, many coaches suggest trading a little first-serve speed for more first serves in. Chart a few matches on a simple tally sheet to find your own numbers.
Tips by skill level
Chart one set with a partner. Mark each point as first serve in, second serve in or double fault, and who won it. Then work out both percentages.
Split the numbers by court and target. A T serve in the deuce court and a wide serve in the ad court may win at different rates. Use the split to choose your serves on big points.
Example
After charting her league match, she sees she won 68% of her first-serve points but only 38% of her second-serve points. She spends the next month on a heavier kick second serve and on landing more first serves.
Why it matters
Serve points won shows whether your serve actually wins points, not just whether it lands. The second-serve number often explains close losses.
Common mistakes
- Judging the serve by first-serve percentage alone
- Comparing your numbers with stats that count double faults differently
- Treating pro tour figures as a target for club play
- Charting too few points to see a real pattern
Frequently asked questions
What is a good second serve points won percentage?
There is no official benchmark for club players. On the men's tour, Tennis Abstract measured top-10 players winning 55.4% of second-serve points in 2015, against 75.6% on first serves. Compare your own numbers over several matches.
What does first serve points won mean?
It is the share of points you win when your first serve lands in. Divide the points won after a first serve by the number of first serves that landed.
How do I calculate second serve points won?
Divide the points you won after hitting a second serve by the number of points that went to a second serve. Some stat sheets count only second serves that land. Check how double faults are treated.
Sources
Related terms
- First Serve PercentageFirst serve percentage is the share of first serves that land in the box. It is a core indicator of serve rhythm and risk management.
- Second ServeThe second serve is the follow-up attempt after a fault. This requires enough spin and margin to give the serve a wide safety margin while still limiting the returner's options.
- Double FaultA double fault occurs when both the first and second serve land outside the service box, awarding the point directly to the returner.
- Break Point Conversion RateBreak point conversion rate is the percentage of break point chances a player wins. It is a key measure of performance on the most pressure-heavy points.
- AceAn ace is a legal serve the receiver fails to touch with the racquet, winning the point outright. The headword "ace" is used as-is across languages.
- Second Serve SpinSecond serve spin is the extra rotation a player adds to the follow-up delivery after a miss. It raises net clearance and margin for error.
Related guides & benchmarks
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