5 longest tennis matches in history
Grand Slams are known for their high stakes and epic clashes, but sometimes matches stretch beyond mere contests—it becomes a test of human willpower. From Wimbledon's endless first-round battle to French Open finals of titanic proportions, these extraordinary encounters tested not just skill, but spirit.
Here's a look at five of tennis's longest and most unforgettable duels. From historic first rounds to gripping Grand Slam finals, each match demanded more than just physical stamina—it required heart. Let's dive into these marathon moments that pushed athletes, and fans, to their limits.
1. John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut – (2010 Wimbledon), First Round (11 h 5 m)
(Image via Olympic.com)
The record-holder. This legendary duel spanned three days, concluding at 11 hours and five minutes, with a final set score of 70–68 in games.
Neither player blinked: over 183 games, each served more than 100 aces. Isner's victory (6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68) remains unmatched in tennis history. Vanity Fair called it 'historic,' with global reactions praising the athletes' resilience and stamina.
2. Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic – (2012 Australian Open) Final Round (5 h 53 m)
(Image via BBC)
The longest Grand Slam final to date. Novak Djokovic edged past Rafael Nadal in a brutal five‑set showdown: 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5, clocking in at 5 hours and 53 minutes, late into the night.
Qualifying as a 'war of attrition,' this match featured stunning 32-shot rallies, went on to become an evidence of two champions pushing human limits.
3. Kevin Anderson vs. John Isner – (2018 Wimbledon) Semifinal (6 h 36 m)
(Image via tennis.com)
Another Wimbledon saga. In this semi final match, Anderson defeated Isner by 7–6(6), 6–7(5), 6–7(9), 6–4, 26–24, taking 6 hours and 36 minutes. The fifth set alone was a dramatic testament to their resolve. Anderson's victory created a moment of personal triumph after Isner's earlier epic.
4. Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer – (2019 Wimbledon) Final (4 h 57 m)
(Image via NBC sports)
Dubbed the 'War of 13–12,' this final saw Djokovic beat Federer 7–6(7), 1–6, 7–6(7), 4–6, 13–12(7) in just under five hours (4 hours and 57 minutes to be exact). It became the longest Wimbledon final ever and marks the twilight of Federer's major-final appearances. Quiet determination, immense pressure, and a thunderous fifth-set tiebreak defined this classic.
5. Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner – 2025 French Open Final (5 h 29 m)
(Image via BBC)
The modern marvel. In June 2025, Alcaraz staged a breathtaking comeback in a five-hour, 29‑minute battle, saving three championship points to win at 4–6, 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(3), 7–6(10–2).
As the longest final in Roland-Garros Open Era history, it tested the limits of youthful endurance and mental grit, ushering in a new era of tennis greatness.
These matches weren't just long in time—they were epics, chapters in tennis history shaped by grit, stamina, and the hunger to win. Each sets a benchmark for future generations, proving that in Grand Slams, sometimes the greatest opponent isn't the one across the net—it's time itself.
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