The Longest Men’s Singles Tennis Matches of All-Time

• If you have the time to watch the highlights of this match on YouTube, I highly recommend doing so. This match is so incredible. John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in the 5th set of their first-round encounter 70-68! This was prior to Wimbledon implementing the 24 game limit in the 5th set, and eventually leading to a tiebreak. Isner served over 100 aces in this match, and it had to be played over the span of 3 days. This match will never be beaten and it has become so infamous amongst tennis fans around the world.

2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Rafael Nadal (SPA) – 2018 Wimbledon Semi-Final – 5 hours 16 minutes

• Novak Djokovic claimed another title in the 2018 Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, however, the highlight of his tournament was definitely his victory over fellow rival, Rafael Nadal in the Semi-Final. This match was so incredibly close and had all the ingredients for it to be considered a blockbuster. It was a pull and tug, but at the end, Novak Djokovic won 10-8 in the 5th set. These players are not scared to play long matches, and they gave it their all for 5 hours and 16 minutes.

3. Rafael Nadal (SPA) vs. Fernando Verdasco (SPA) – 2009 Australian Open Semi-Final – 5 hours 14 minutes

• On his way to winning his first and only Australian Open Men’s Singles title, Rafael Nadal came across fellow Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco, in what is one of the classic Australian Open matches. Nadal won in the 5th set, with a 6-4 scoreline, but he had to leave it all out on the court in order to ensure he made the Final. Nadal was able to come in clutch at the end and win this incredible match.

4. Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Roger Federer (SWI) – 2019 Wimbledon Final – 4 hours 57 minutes

• This is one of the best matches of all time, Federer aiming to win his 21st Grand Slam title, and Djokovic aiming to come closer to Federer and Nadal on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners. This match was so tight, and it all came to the end. Djokovic started out the match incredibly well, but Federer was able to hang on, and when the match went to a 5th set, Federer seemed to have the upper hand. Federer had a break and had two Championship points, until Djokovic pulled off a miracle and broke back. Djokovic then used his ability to stay in incredibly long rallies to win it in the tiebreak. You need to watch these match highlights.

5. Rafael Nadal (SPA) vs. Roger Federer (SWI) – 2008 Wimbledon Final – 4 hours 48 minutes

• Considerably the best match of all time, this match had it all: drama, delays, and crowd participation. Nadal had already tasted defeat to Federer in 2007 in the Wimbledon Final and he did not want to see the same happen again. Nadal started out the match so strong, leading Federer 2-0, however, the Swiss Maestro fought back and would not give up, winning the next two sets to bring it to a 5th set. Back then, there were no tiebreaks in the 5th set of Wimbledon matches, and these two players would play for as long as possible if they needed to. Nadal was able to establish himself as one of the best players of all time, winning 9-7 against one of the best of all time.