Tennis, known for its intense battles, has witnessed some epic encounters that have tested players’ physical and mental limits. An average tennis match lasts for two to three hours. However, several times in tennis history, matches have been played over two or three days.
A long tennis match has drama because it is unpredictable and suspenseful. As more sets go by, the tension grows as neither player is willing to concede. For spectators and watchers alike, the dynamic shifts of momentum, crucial victories or losses, and the unrelenting chase of success create an electric environment.
Seven of the top 10 longest tennis matches were played at the Davis Cup, while three were Grand Slam matches. These matches took more than six hours because there were no last ser tie-breaks and matches would go on for hours and hours. The longest tennis match in history was not a Davis Cup match as it was played at the 2010 Wimbledon between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. It lasted not for six, not for seven or eight, but for more than 11 hours!
Let’s take a look at the Top-10 longest matches in Tennis History
10) Radek Stepanek vs Ivo Karlovic (Davis Cup 2009)
The Davis Cup has produced some of the most grueling tennis matches, and the semifinal clash between Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic and Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in 2009 is no exception. Played on clay, a surface notorious for its slower pace and longer rallies, this match showcased the contrasting styles of two seasoned competitors. Stepanek, a crafty baseliner with an all-court game, faced the towering Karlovic, famous for his thunderous serve.
The match began with Karlovic firing aces at will, his 78 aces set a Davis Cup record at the time. Despite this overwhelming firepower, Stepanek displayed remarkable defensive skills. Each set was fiercely contested, with three of them decided by tiebreaks. The fifth set alone lasted over two hours, pushing both players to their physical and mental limits.
Stepanek finally prevailed in 5 hours and 59 minutes with a scoreline of 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–6(8–6), 6–7(2–7), 16–14, securing a crucial victory for the Czech Republic. While this win propelled his team to the Davis Cup final, their journey ended in defeat to Spain. Nonetheless, Stepanek’s resilience against Karlovic remains one of the most remarkable Davis Cup performances ever.
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9) Harry Fritz vs Jorge Andrew (Davis Cup 1982)
The Davis Cup has often been a stage for epic encounters, and the 1982 clash between Harry Fritz of Canada and Jorge Andrew of Venezuela was no different. In a marathon that lasted for 6 hours and 1 minute, Fritz showcased incredible grit and determination to edge out his opponent in one of the longest matches in Davis Cup history.
The match saw the two players engage in an exhausting 100-game duel. Fritz’s superior fitness and composure under pressure made the difference as he secured a dramatic victory with a scoreline of 16–14, 11–9, 9–11, 4–6, 11–9. The match wasn’t just a test of stamina but also of mental toughness, with each player having to fend off multiple match points. The crowd witnessed a display of tenacity and skill rarely seen in the sport.
Fritz’s victory helped Canada advance to the Inter-Zonal Final against Paraguay. Despite their momentum, Canada faltered in the final, winning only one match. While Fritz’s heroics didn’t result in Davis Cup glory, his marathon triumph over Andrew remains a testament to his perseverance and determination.
8) Horst Skoff vs Mats Wilander (Davis Cup 1989)
The quarterfinal tie between Austria’s Horst Skoff and Sweden’s Mats Wilander in the 1989 Davis Cup was a match for the ages. Played on the grueling clay courts, this 6 hour 4 minutes battle saw Skoff, an underdog, overcome Wilander, a former world number one, in a display of sheer will and tactical brilliance.
Skoff’s tenacity shone throughout the match, as he used clever shot placement and tireless defense to counter Wilander’s consistent baseline game. The Austrian crowd was electric, cheering on their hometown hero as he pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Davis Cup history. Each set was a grueling contest, with neither player giving an inch. Skoff eventually emerged victorious, winning 7–6, 5–7, 6–3, 6–7, 8–6, to the delight of the home crowd.
Despite Skoff’s heroics, Austria was unable to overcome Sweden in the overall tie. Wilander and his team advanced to the final, only to be defeated by West Germany. Nonetheless, Skoff’s extraordinary performance in this marathon match remains a highlight in Davis Cup history and a testament to his unyielding spirit.
7) Jose Luis Clerc vs John McEnroe (Davis Cup 1980)
The 1980 Davis Cup semifinal clash between Argentina’s Jose Luis Clerc and the United States’ John McEnroe was a marathon battle that tested both players’ stamina and resolve. Played on the slow clay courts of Buenos Aires, the match unfolded as an intense duel between the flamboyant American and the resilient Argentine, lasting 6 hours and 15 minutes. It was the first Davis Cup singles match McEnroe ever lost, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career.
The match began with Clerc taking control, utilizing the clay surface to neutralize McEnroe’s aggressive serve-and-volley game. Clerc’s relentless baseline play and ability to construct long, punishing rallies gave him the edge in the first two sets. McEnroe fought back valiantly in the third set, using his deft touch and trademark net play to stay in contention. The fourth set was a grueling test of endurance, stretching long into the evening before being halted due to fading light.
When the players resumed on the second day, the crowd was electrified, urging Clerc to finish the job. In an epic fourth set that seemed never-ending, Clerc eventually outlasted McEnroe, clinching the match 6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 14–12. Remarkably, McEnroe returned to the court just hours later to play doubles with Peter Fleming, showcasing his extraordinary resilience. Despite Clerc’s heroic effort, the United States triumphed in the tie and went on to win the Davis Cup that year.
6) Boris Becker vs John McEnroe (1987 Davis Cup)
The 1987 Davis Cup matchup between Boris Becker of West Germany and John McEnroe of the United States remains one of the most iconic battles in tennis history. Taking place in Hartford, Connecticut, this 6-hour, 21-minute clash epitomized the fierce rivalry between two of the sport’s biggest stars. Becker’s power and athleticism collided with McEnroe’s finesse and fiery determination, creating an unforgettable spectacle.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players pushing each other to the brink. Becker, known for his booming serve and aggressive baseline play, faced McEnroe’s impeccable touch and tactical genius. The second set alone lasted nearly 2 hours, with Becker eventually prevailing 15–13 in a tiebreak to level the match. McEnroe struck back in the third set, eking out a narrow 10–8 victory in a tiebreak.
Becker ultimately pulled away in the fourth and fifth sets, leveraging his superior physical conditioning to dominate McEnroe, finishing with a scoreline of 4–6, 15–13, 8–10, 6–2, 6–2. The match was just one minute shorter than the longest in tennis history at the time, showcasing the extraordinary competitiveness of both players.
5) John McEnroe vs Mats Wilander (1982 Davis Cup)
John McEnroe once again finds himself on this list, this time as the victor in an epic clash against Mats Wilander in the 1982 Davis Cup semifinals. The match, held on the fast indoor courts of St. Louis, Missouri, was a grueling 6-hour, 22-minute contest that saw McEnroe use every ounce of his energy and creativity to overcome the young Swedish prodigy.
The match was a showcase of contrasting styles. Wilander, known for his exceptional consistency and defensive skills, forced McEnroe into extended rallies, testing his patience and fitness. McEnroe countered with his characteristic brilliance at the net and a mix of spins and angles that kept Wilander off balance. The third set alone lasted over 2 hours, with Wilander finally taking it 17–15, a testament to both players’ resilience.
McEnroe eventually emerged victorious with a scoreline of 9–7, 6–2, 15–17, 3–6, 8–6, in one of the most grueling encounters of his career. His win helped the United States advance to the Davis Cup final, where they defeated France to claim the title.
4) Fabrice Santoro vs Arnaud Clement (2004 Roland Garros)
The 2004 French Open featured a first-round encounter between two Frenchmen, Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement, that became an instant classic. Lasting an astonishing 6 hours and 33 minutes, this was the longest match in French Open history. Spanning two days, this epic contest remains one of the longest matches in Grand Slam history.
Santoro, known as “The Magician” for his unorthodox playing style and incredible variety, faced Clement, a relentless baseliner with a never-say-die attitude. The match began with Santoro taking the first two sets with his clever mix of spins and slices, keeping Clement off balance. However, Clement rallied in the third and fourth sets, using his superior physicality to grind out the points and force a decider.
The fifth set turned into a war of attrition, lasting over 2 hours as both players refused to yield. Santoro’s ability to adapt and his knack for unpredictable shot-making proved to be the difference, as he finally prevailed 6–4, 6–3, 6–7(5), 3–6, 16–14. The match ended with 71 games played, leaving both players physically and emotionally drained. Although Santoro advanced to the second round, his exertions took their toll, and he exited the tournament soon after.
3) John Isner vs Kevin Anderson (2018 Wimbledon)
The semifinal clash between John Isner and Kevin Anderson at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships was a marathon match which lasted 6 hours and 36 minutes. This match was longest semifinal in Grand Slam and second longest match in Wimbledon’s history. Interestingly, John Isner has been involved in both the longest matches at Wimbledon.
The match was a showcase of two towering servers battling it out in a relentless war of attrition. Both Isner and Anderson relied heavily on their serves, resulting in a match dominated by aces and service games. The first three sets were decided by tiebreaks, with neither player able to gain a decisive edge. Anderson finally broke Isner’s serve in the fourth set, leveling the match and setting the stage for an epic fifth set.
The final set was a marathon in itself, stretching to 26–24 as both players clung to their service games with sheer determination. After over 6 hours of grueling play, Anderson emerged victorious with a scoreline of 7–6(6), 6–7(5), 6–7(9), 6–4, 26–24. The South African advanced to the final, where he faced Novak Djokovic but was unable to recover fully and lost in straight sets.
2) Leonardo Mayer vs Joao Souza (Davis Cup 2015)
In the first round of the 2015 Davis Cup, Leonardo Mayer of Argentina and Joao Souza of Brazil engaged in the longest singles match in the tournament’s history. Lasting 6 hours and 43 minutes, this clay-court battle in Buenos Aires was an extraordinary display of endurance, skill, and unwavering determination. It also set the record for the longest match ever played on clay.
The match was a nail-biter from start to finish. Mayer, an accomplished clay-court player, faced Souza, who was equally adept on the surface. The first two sets were decided by tight tiebreaks, with Mayer edging out Souza each time. Souza, however, fought back valiantly, taking the third and fourth sets to push the match into a deciding fifth set. By this point, both players were visibly exhausted, with cramps and fatigue taking their toll.
In the marathon fifth set, Mayer finally broke Souza’s serve at 13–13, clinching the match with a final score of 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5), 5–7, 5–7, 15–13. The match lasted so long that the subsequent doubles match had to be rescheduled. Mayer’s heroic effort helped Argentina advance to the semifinals, though they ultimately fell to Belgium.
1) John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut (Wimbledon 2010)
The legendary first-round encounter between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010 is the longest tennis match, longest Grand Slam match and longest Wimbledon match ever played. Spanning three days and lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes of total playing time, this match on Court 18 became a landmark event in tennis history. It redefined the limits of endurance in the sport and captivated the world.
The match began on June 22, with Isner and Mahut splitting the first four sets, was suspended due to poor light. The following day, the players returned to play the fifth set, which turned into an extraordinary battle of attrition. Both players held serve with remarkable consistency, with neither able to break the other’s resolve. The scoreboard froze at 47–47, unable to display scores beyond that number, as the match stretched beyond the limits of expectation.
When play resumed on the third day, Isner finally broke Mahut’s serve at 68–68 and clinched the match 70–68 in the fifth set. The final scoreline read 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7), 7–6(3), 70–68. The fifth set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the total duration of many professional matches. While Isner advanced to the second round, fatigue overwhelmed him, and he lost in straight sets.
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