Top five longest tennis matches in history
These tennis matches lasted over 6 hours – the longest ever played.
Tennis has witnessed some of the most physically and mentally demanding contests in sports history, with certain matches stretching for hours and testing players to their absolute limits. The longest tennis matches ever played are not just about skill, but endurance, resilience, and sheer determination.
One such iconic battle was the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, which lasted 5 hours and 53 minutes. While it remains the longest Grand Slam final, it still falls short of the longest matches in tennis history.
Here’s a look at the top five longest tennis matches ever played, all of which lasted more than six hours.
What is the longest tennis match in history?
The longest tennis match ever was between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days.
| Rank | Match | Tournament | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut | Wimbledon 2010 | 11h 5m |
| 2 | Berdych/Rosol vs Wawrinka/Chiudinelli | Davis Cup 2013 | 7h 1m |
| 3 | Leonardo Mayer vs Joao Souza | Davis Cup 2015 | 6h 43m |
| 4 | Kevin Anderson vs John Isner | Wimbledon 2018 | 6h 36m |
| 5 | Fabrice Santoro vs Arnaud Clement | French Open 2004 | 6h 33m |
Top 5 longest tennis matches in history (by duration)
5. Fabrice Santoro vs Arnaud Clement (2004 French Open, 6 hours and 33 minutes)
The meeting between two Frenchmen Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement in the first round of the French Open in 2004 produced a classic. Unseeded Santoro met 32nd seed Arnaud Clement in a match that continued for more than six hours. The duration of the game was so long that it went on for two days. The back-and-forth entertainer also saw Santoro saving two match points in the process.
The match was both physical and psychological. On top of it, the match also had a lot of bad blood to add to its backstory. Apparently Santoro had been dropped off the French Davis Cup team the same year by captain Guy Forget. This led to a controversy within the French tennis fraternity and things were on edge between the players. Fabrice came on the court as if he had a point to prove.
Taking the first two sets, Santoro sealed it off in the fifth and final set. The match ended 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6,16-14. Santoro collapsing on court after hitting a backhand winner past Clement truly showed his raw emotions after the match.
Also Read: Top five longest tennis matches in Grand Slam history ft. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal & more
4. Kevin Anderson vs John Isner (2018 Wimbledon, 6 hours 36 minutes)
The men’s Wimbledon in 2018 saw two classic semi-final matches. While one was between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, another saw Kevin Anderson clash with John Isner. Though all eyes were on the former, it was the latter which truly stole the spotlight.
It is the longest tennis match played in a semi-final in history till date. The match that reached its climax in the 49th game of the deciding set, which saw these two old college friends hugging it out in the end.
The final scoreline read 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24. Two gigantic players Anderson (6’8″) and Isner (6’10”) truly played a game at par with their astounding stature.
Also Read: Top 10 tallest tennis players of all-time ft. John Isner, Juan Martin Del Potro & more
3. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) vs Joao Souza (BRA) (2015 Davis Cup, 6 hours 43 mins)
If you think that the Brazil and Argentina rivalry is just limited to football, then think again. The match between Brazil’s Joao Souza and Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer had all the spice needed to rival that. Mayer desperately needed to win the game to keep Argentina’s hopes alive in the Davis Cup group stages.
Moreover, the match was played in his home nation, in the city of Buenos Aires which resulted in extra pressure. It was quite evident as Mayer missed out on 10 match points.
Finally, he broke Souza’s serve, leading 14-13. The 29th-ranked Argentine fell to the ground as the crowd and his teammates gave him a tumultuous ovation. The final score read 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 15-13. It also managed to level the best-of-five series at 2-2. It was a truly remarkable moment for Argentine as well as South American tennis as a whole.
2. Tomas Berdych/Lukas Rosol (CZE) vs Stan Wawrinka/ Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) (2013 Davis Cup, 7 hours 1 minute)
This match is the only doubles match in the list of longest tennis matches played. It is also the longest match in the history of the Davis Cup. Going on for seven hours and one minute, it truly was exhausting. Contested at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland—the match saw two teams leaving no stone unturned to win.
In the end, however, it was the visitors who had the last laugh. With the final result 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 24-22 in favour of Berdych and Rosol. The victory allowed the Czechs to put up a 2-1 lead. It was also instrumental behind the Czechs winning the Davis Cup that year.
1. John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut (2010 Wimbledon, 11 hours 5 minutes)
John Isner can officially call himself the “Marathon Man” of tennis. The veteran has been through some intense battles. It is because of that he is on this list not just once but twice. This meeting with Frenchman Nicolas Mahut happened way before his showdown with Kevin Anderson. On top of that, unlike his on-court bout in 2018—this one in fact found him in the winner’s corner.
The game not only transcended minutes or hours but even days. The match that started on 22nd June 6:13 pm BST finished on 24th June at 4:47 pm. The only gaps imposed were because of the fading daylight. The final scoreline of the match was a never-before-seen 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68.
A record 183 games were played in total. The match broke many records worldwide. Such was its longevity that many referred to it as ‘the endless match’.
This match led to rule changes in tennis, including the introduction of final-set tiebreaks in Grand Slams.
Conclusion
These marathon matches highlight why the longest tennis matches in history remain some of the most iconic moments in the sport. While rule changes like final-set tiebreaks have reduced such long encounters, these historic battles remain unmatched and continue to define the sport’s legacy.
What is the longest tennis match in history?
The longest match in tennis history was between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days.
Which is the longest Grand Slam tennis match?
The Isner vs. Mahut clash at Wimbledon holds the record, followed by several other Grand Slam marathons such as Anderson vs. Isner (Wimbledon 2018) and Nadal vs. Medvedev (Australian Open 2022).
Has any doubles match lasted more than 7 hours?
Yes. The 2013 Davis Cup match between Berdych/Rosol and Wawrinka/Chiudinelli lasted 7 hours and 1 minute, making it the longest doubles match in history.
Which Davis Cup match was the longest ever played?
The 2013 Davis Cup doubles tie between Czech Republic and Switzerland (Berdych/Rosol vs. Wawrinka/Chiudinelli) lasted just over 7 hours.
How long did the Anderson vs. Isner Wimbledon match last?
The 2018 Wimbledon semi-final between Kevin Anderson and John Isner lasted 6 hours and 36 minutes.
Why are some tennis matches so long?
Matches can be extended due to no final set tiebreak rules (previously at Wimbledon), evenly matched skill levels, or endurance-based rallies.
How many games were played in the Isner vs. Mahut match?
The match included a record-breaking 183 games, with the final set ending at 70–68.
Which player has appeared in multiple longest tennis matches?
John Isner appears twice on this list — against Nicolas Mahut (2010) and Kevin Anderson (2018).
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Joseph is a Senior Assistant Editor and journalist specializing in Olympic sports at Khel Now. Since joining in 2021, he has steadily progressed from content writer to editor. With a Master’s degree in journalism, Joseph began his career in 2017 as a freelancer covering Indian football extensively. At Khel Now, he initially worked on the football desk, handling ground coverage and transfer news. In 2022, he was promoted to lead the Olympic desk, where he continues to focus his expertise.