Some of these matches are questionably long!
Tennis is an individual sport that requires a lot of stamina and grit. The length of tennis games can vary from 3–5 sets, depending on the tournament. Also, some matches can be finished in three straight sets, depending on the players involved. However, several very long and engaging matches have been played over the years that went the distance of all five sets. In this article, we look at the four longest tennis matches to have ever been played in the sport's history.
The most extended tennis match in history occurred during the first round of the 2010 Wimbledon tournament, featuring John Isner and Nicholas Mahut. Commencing on June 22, the match concluded on June 24, spanning an astonishing 11 hours and 5 minutes. Interrupted on the 22nd and 23rd due to the absence of natural light, the match resumed on the 24th, with Isner ultimately emerging victorious with a scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-3), 70-68. Notably, the final set alone lasted an exhausting 8 hours and 11 minutes, establishing a record for the longest tennis match ever played—a feat unlikely to be surpassed!
The sole doubles match to make it to this compilation featured the Czech Republic against Switzerland in the Davis Cup. With the series tied at 1-1, neither team spared any effort in the crucial Davis Cup 2013 final. In the end, the pairing of Berdych and Rosol clinched victory with a hard-fought score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 24-22. This win propelled the Czech Republic to a 2-1 lead in the series, pivotal in their overall triumph in the Davis Cup of 2013. Dispelling the notion that doubles matches are less challenging, this encounter stands out as one of the most remarkable in the sport's history.
The Davis Cup witnessed the third-longest tennis match, intensifying the historic rivalry between Argentina and Brazil in 2015. Leonardo Mayer of Argentina emerged victorious over Brazil's João Souza with a hard-fought scoreline of 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 15-13. This marathon match marked the longest singles encounter in Davis Cup history and the longest ever played on a clay court. Facing a 2-1 deficit in the series against Brazil, Argentina experienced a dramatic turnaround as Mayer secured the crucial win despite squandering nine match points. This pivotal victory propelled Argentina into the Davis Cup semi-finals, showcasing the resilience and tenacity inherent in this historic competition.
In 2018, John Isner found himself in another marathon match, this time in the Wimbledon semi-final against Kevin Anderson. This showdown marked the longest Grand Slam semi-final in history, lasting 6 hours and 36 minutes. Ultimately, Kevin Anderson emerged victorious with a score of 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, 26-24. Notably, Anderson and Isner, who had once been college tennis teammates, faced off in a gripping battle. Despite Anderson's loss to Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, his name is etched in history for this extraordinary match against Isner. Even though Isner faced an unfortunate defeat against Anderson, he still holds the title of winning the longest tennis match ever played, marking his second time achieving this remarkable record.
In conclusion, these four marathon tennis matches are not merely records but sagas of determination, endurance, and the unshakable spirit of athletes pushing their limits. From Wimbledon to the Davis Cup, these matches have left a memorable mark on the history of tennis, reminding us of the extraordinary feats that can occur on the hallowed courts of the sport!
