Top five longest Grand Slam finals in tennis history

Four out of the five Grand Slam finals have featured the ‘Big Three’.

Triumphing in a Grand Slam requires perseverance and resilience. Only the one with the ability to deliver under pressure and hold their nerve in key moments takes the crown. When two of the best from across the world go head-to-head, players get tested both physically and mentally.

Tennis players have to give every inch of their bodies on the court, which can be physically exhausting, but it also leads to good viewership and breathtaking action. Let’s take a look at the top five longest Grand Slam finals in tennis history.

Longest Grand Slam finals in tennis history

5. Wimbledon 2008 Final – 4 hours and 48 minutes

The Wimbledon 2008 final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lasted 4 hours and 48 minutes, with Nadal winning 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5), 6–7(8), 9–7. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis matches ever, it featured two rain delays and concluded in near darkness.

The Spaniard ended Federer’s remarkable five-year Wimbledon reign in a match filled with breathtaking rallies and emotional swings, with both players pushing each other to the limits of physical and mental endurance.

4. Wimbledon 2019 Final – 4 hours and 57 minutes

The 2019 Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer lasted 4 hours and 57 minutes, becoming the longest Wimbledon final ever. Djokovic triumphed 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3) in the first Grand Slam final decided by a final-set tiebreak at 12–12.

Federer held two championship points on his serve in the fifth set, but Djokovic saved both and ultimately won in a dramatic tiebreak. The match is a contender for the greatest Grand Slam final of all time in Open Era history, with Djokovic showing his brilliance under pressure when all the odds were against him.

3. Australian Open 2022 Final – 5 hours and 24 minutes

The 2022 Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev lasted 5 hours and 24 minutes, with Nadal completing a historic comeback from two sets down to win 2–6, 6–7(5), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5. This victory marked Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title, breaking the men’s record back then.

After a head-start early for the Russian, the Spaniard legend found himself in a breakdown even in the third set, before staging a comeback for the ages to seal the result in five sets.

2. French Open 2025 Final – 5 hours and 29 minutes

The French Open 2025 final saw Carlos Alcaraz defeat World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a marathon 5-hour, 29-minute battle, the longest final in Roland Garros history. Alcaraz rallied from two sets down and a break behind in the third to win 4–6, 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(3), 7–6(10–2), saving three championship points along the way.

In a remarkable display of resilience and mental toughness, the then 22-year-old prevailed in a tense 10-point tiebreak to become the fifth-youngest player to defend the French Open title successfully.

1. Australian Open 2012 Final – 5 hours and 53 minutes

The 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal lasted 5 hours and 53 minutes, making it the longest Grand Slam final in history. Djokovic triumphed 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5 in a match that stretched well past midnight.

The gruelling nature of the encounter meant that the players were barely able to stand upright during the prize-giving ceremony, as both gave their all, resulting in a match full of high-octane drama and breathtaking tennis of the highest standard.

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