Top five longest tennis matches in Grand Slam history ft. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal & more

Former American top 10 player John Isner features twice in the list.

Tennis singles is arguably the most physically-challenging sport. It demands explosive strength, endurance, hand-eye coordination and flexibility. Additionally, the players must be at their absolute best, physically and mentally for the entire duration of a match.

Unlike the other ATP Tour tournaments, which have a best of three sets format, the Grand Slam events present a greater challenge to players in every aspect. The matches in the men’s main draw at Grand Slams are played as best of five sets and women’s Grand Slam matches are always best of three sets. This format often results in prolonged battles on the court, in which a player has to grind hours and hours for victory. 

At the recent US Open 2024, Britain’s Dan Evans defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4  in five hours and 35 minutes in the first round match. The match broke various records and entered the history books as being the longest match in US Open history. Let us go back and have a look at the top five longest Grand Slam matches in tennis history.

5. Dan Evans vs Karen Khachanov (5 hours 35 minutes- US Open 2024)

In the first round match at the 2024 US Open, Dan Evans battled it out for five hours and 35 minutes to defeat the Russian Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4. Evans came back from 0-4 in the deciding set to eliminate the 23rd seed Khachanov.

This match broke the previous record of the longest match at the US Open, which was the 1992 semi-final clash between Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang, lasting five hours and 26 minutes.

4. Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal (5 hours 53 minutes- Australian Open 2012)

Considered as one of the best tennis matches of all-time, the Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is the longest Grand Slam final to-date. The match lasted for a jaw-dropping five hours and 53 minutes, in which both the players gave it all they had.

Djokovic won the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5, winning his fifth Grand Slam title. Because of exhaustion, both the players were forced to defy convention and take a seat during the post-match presentation. 

3. Fabrice Santoro Vs Arnaud Clement (6 hours 33 minutes- French Open 2004)

In an all-French first round match at Roland-Garros, Fabrice Santoro saved two match points and beat Arnaud Clément 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3, 16-14 in six hours 33 minutes.

It was also the longest match in tennis history at the time, being 11 minutes longer than the previous record held by John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, who battled for six hours and 22 minutes in a Davis Cup tie in 1982.

2. Kevin Anderson Vs John Isner (6 hours 36 minutes- Wimbledon 2018)

In the semi-final clash at the 2018 Wimbledon, two gigantic players, South African Kevin Anderson (6’8″) and American John Isner (6’10”) played a memorable match. Both the players were fighting for their first Wimbledon final appearance and Anderson edged past Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24. The match featured 102 thunderbolt aces and 247 winners and the final set lasted for two hours and 55 minutes. 

Also Read: Top five longest tennis matches played in the history

After winning the match, there were no wild roars, fist-pumping or raised arms in celebration from Anderson, as he a sympathetic hug to his old friend from the college circuit.

1. John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut (11 hours 5 minutes- Wimbledon 2010)

The longest tennis match of all-time was played between John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in the first round of the men’s singles at the 2010 Wimbledon. The match lasted for three days, starting on 22nd June and ending on 24th June because of delays caused by a lack of natural light and malfunctioning of the electronic scoreboard. Isner won the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. 

A record 183 games were played in total in the match and the fifth set alone lasted for eight hours and 11 minutes. This record for the longest match between Isner and Mahut is very unlikely to be broken, as tennis matches now employ the tie-break rule to decide the final set. 

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