Sports • Tennis

Ace (tennis)

An ace in tennis is a legal serve that lands in the correct service box and is not touched by the receiver, winning the point immediately for the server.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

An ace in tennis is a legal serve that lands in the correct service box and is not touched by the receiver, winning the point immediately for the server. The term is commonly associated with powerful first serves, though aces can also occur on second serves. The word was coined, according to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, by sports journalist Allison Danzig.

Definition

An ace is a legal tennis serve that the receiver does not touch, so the server wins the point outright. The ball must land in the correct service box.

How aces happen

Aces are usually produced by a combination of speed, accuracy, and placement, often to the corners of the service box. They are most commonly seen on first serves, when servers can use greater pace and riskier placement, but aces can also occur on second serves.

Terminology

In tennis usage, an ace is distinct from other service winners because the receiver makes no contact with the ball. According to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the term was coined by sports journalist Allison Danzig. In Canadian English, the term is commonly used in tennis coverage and broadcasting, and French-language Canadian usage may use the term 'as' for an ace.

Scoring significance

Because an ace ends the point immediately, it is one of the most efficient ways to win a point on serve. The term is widely used in tennis statistics and commentary to measure serve effectiveness.

Key facts

An ace is a serve that the receiver does not touch.
A valid ace must land in the correct service box.
Aces are often associated with strong, well-placed first serves.
Aces can also occur on second serves.
The server wins the point immediately when an ace is served.

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Canadian context

In Canadian English, the term is commonly used in tennis coverage and broadcasting, and French-language Canadian usage may use the term 'as' for an ace.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What is an ace in tennis?

A legal serve that lands in the correct service box and is not touched by the receiver, winning the point immediately.

Does the ball have to land in the service box for an ace?

Yes. If the serve does not land in the correct service box, it is a fault rather than an ace.

Can an ace happen on a second serve?

Yes. Although aces are more common on first serves, they can also occur on second serves.

Is an ace the same as a service winner?

No. An ace requires no contact by the receiver; if the receiver touches the ball but cannot return it, that is generally called a service winner.

Who coined the term ace in tennis?

The International Tennis Hall of Fame attributes the term to sports journalist Allison Danzig.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_(tennis)
Supports: Definition of ace, common association with first serves, and attribution of the term to Allison Danzig.
UTR Sports — https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/what-is-an-ace-in-tennis-meaning-rules-how-to-hit-one
Supports: Definition of ace as an untouched legal serve that wins the point immediately.
Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_(tennis)
Supports: French-language description of ace and note that it is often called 'as' in Quebec.
Tennis Mindset — https://tennismindset.org/blogs/tennis-padel-tips/what-is-an-ace-in-tennis-definition-records-how-to-hit-one
Supports: Rules-based definition, including that the serve must land in the correct service box and that a touched ball is not an ace if it is returned.
Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_tennis_terms
Supports: Glossary definition of ace as a serve landing in the service box and not touched by the receiver.