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Tennis, whether it be in singles or doubles, can deliver epic battles of endurance and mental fortitude, pushing players to their absolute limits. The sport has seen some incredibly long matches that have tested its participants. Here, we delve into the longest tennis matches ever played, focusing on those that took the most time to complete.
Note that all of these matches come from the men’s side as the four Grand Slam tournaments, plus the Davis Cup, constitute best-of-five set matches. No matter the context, women players always play best-of-three set matches.
The longest tennis match of all time took place at Wimbledon from June 22-24, 2010, between John Isner of the United States and Nicolas Mahut of France. This historic first-round match lasted an astonishing 11 hours and 5 minutes, spread over three days. Isner finally emerged victorious with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. The fifth set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes, making it longer than any entire tennis match ever played. This match is a testament to the players’ incredible endurance and willpower.
The 2013 Davis Cup featured another marathon match, this time in doubles. Tomas Berdych and Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic faced Stan Wawrinka and Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland in a match that lasted 7 hours and 1 minute. The Czech duo eventually won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 24-22. This match holds the record for the longest doubles match in tennis history and showcased incredible teamwork.
At the 2015 Davis Cup, Leonardo Mayer of Argentina and Joao Souza of Brazil played a match that became the longest singles match in Davis Cup history. Mayer won after 6 hours and 43 minutes, with a final score of 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 15-13. This match is remembered not only for its length but also for the dramatic shifts in momentum and the players’ determination to represent their countries.
Wimbledon, and John Isner, saw another historic match on July 13, 2018, in the semifinals against Kevin Anderson of South Africa. Unlike his first Wimbledon marathon, Isner did not emerge victorious this time. Anderson triumphed after 6 hours and 36 minutes, with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24. This match is the second-longest in Wimbledon history and the longest in the tournament’s semifinal stage. The grueling fifth set alone lasted nearly 3 hours, reflecting the incredible endurance of both players.
The 2004 French Open featured an epic battle between two Frenchmen, Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement. This first-round match extended over two days, lasting 6 hours and 33 minutes, with Santoro eventually winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 16-14. It remains the longest match in the history of the French Open and is notable for the physical and mental toll it took on both players, who showcased extraordinary grit and perseverance.
The 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain is often regarded as one of the greatest matches in tennis history. Djokovic won this marathon contest, which lasted 5 hours and 53 minutes, with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. It is the longest Grand Slam final ever played and is remembered for the high quality of tennis, the incredible physical and mental endurance displayed by both players and the emotional intensity that gripped spectators worldwide.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.