Longest tennis match records
Encyclopedia
This article details longest tennis match records by duration or number of games.
The 1973 introduction of the tiebreak reduced the opportunity for such records to be broken. However, among the Grand Slams
, only the US Open uses the tiebreak in the final set; the Australian Open
, French Open and Wimbledon instead use the advantage set rules in the final set – in such a set there can be an indefinite number of games until there is a winner. This resulted, for example, in the record-smashing Isner v. Mahut
match at Wimbledon 2010.
between Nicolas Mahut
and John Isner
on 22, 23, and 24 June 2010.
The 1973 introduction of the tiebreak reduced the opportunity for such records to be broken. However, among the Grand Slams
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
, only the US Open uses the tiebreak in the final set; the Australian Open
Australian Open
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tennis tournament held in the southern hemisphere. The tournament was held for the first time in 1905 and was last contested on grass in 1987. Since 1972 the Australian Open has been held in Melbourne, Victoria. In 1988, the tournament became a hard court...
, French Open and Wimbledon instead use the advantage set rules in the final set – in such a set there can be an indefinite number of games until there is a winner. This resulted, for example, in the record-smashing Isner v. Mahut
Isner–Mahut match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships
The Isner–Mahut match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships is the longest match in tennis history, measured both by time and number of games. In the Gentlemen's Singles tournament first round, the American 23rd seed John Isner defeated the French qualifier Nicolas Mahut after 11 hours, 5 minutes of...
match at Wimbledon 2010.
Men
The longest professional tennis match, in terms of both time and total games, was matchIsner–Mahut match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships
The Isner–Mahut match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships is the longest match in tennis history, measured both by time and number of games. In the Gentlemen's Singles tournament first round, the American 23rd seed John Isner defeated the French qualifier Nicolas Mahut after 11 hours, 5 minutes of...
between Nicolas Mahut
Nicolas Mahut
Nicolas Pierre Armand Mahut is a French tennis player. Mahut is right-handed and has previously won the Orange Bowl in 1999, becoming professional in 2000. He is a good serve and volleyer and a doubles expert, having won many tournaments with his doubles partner Julien Benneteau. His career high...
and John Isner
John Isner
John Robert Isner is an American professional tennis player. He achieved his career-high rank of no. 18 on July 5, 2010, and has been as high as the second-ranked American tennis player behind Andy Roddick...
on 22, 23, and 24 June 2010.
- Longest match by time and games: It took 11 hours and 5 minutes of playing time, and required 183 games.
- Longest set by time and games: The 5th set took 8 hours and 11 minutes of playing time, and required 138 games.
- Longest play in a single day: The first 118 games of the fifth set, played on 23 June 2010, lasted 7 hours and 6 minutes. This time is longer than the entire Nelson-Hepner match (below) and all other matches in tennis history.
- Most games in a single day: 118, on the 23 June.
Women
- The longest women's match (by time) took place at a tournament in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984, when Vicki NelsonVicki Nelson-DunbarVicki Nelson-Dunbar is a former professional tennis player from the United States. During her career she won one top-level singles title , and reached the fourth round of the US Open in 1982....
took 6 hours, 31 minutes to defeat Jean HepnerJean HepnerJean Hepner was a professional tennis player from the United States.Hepner is notable for holding the record for participating in the longest women's tennis match in a match against Vicki Nelson-Dunbar at a tournament in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984, which lasted six hours and 31 minutes...
6–4, 7–6(11). The match featured a 29-minute, 643-shot rally, the longest in professional tennis history. This match is also the longest professional match completed in a single day; the Mahut-Isner match was twice suspended by darkness, lasting three days. - The longest women's match (by games) occurred in 1995 when Chanda RubinChanda RubinChanda Rubin is an American tennis player. Winning seven WTA Tour singles titles, she reached her highest ranking World No. 6 on April 8, 1996, after reaching semifinals at the 1996 Australian Open. Rubin is also former World No...
defeated Patricia Hy-BoulaisPatricia Hy-BoulaisPatricia Hy-Boulais is a former tennis player. Representing Hong Kong early in her career, Hy-Boulais became a citizen of Canada in 1991...
7–6(4), 6–7(5), 17–15 in the second round at Wimbledon. This match lasted 58 games in 3 hours 45 minutes.
Doubles
- Longest doubles match by time: In a 2002 Davis Cup2002 Davis Cup World GroupThe World Group was the highest level of Davis Cup competition in 2002.-Draw:First round losers compete in Qualifying Round ties with Zonal Group I Qualifiers.-France vs. Netherlands:-Czech Republic vs. Brazil:-Spain vs. Morocco:...
semifinal tie, the ArgentinaArgentina Davis Cup teamThe Argentina Davis Cup team represents Argentina in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Asociación Argentina de Tenis.Argentina has never won the tournament, but have finished as the runner-up three times, in 1981, 2006 and 2008....
team of Lucas Arnold and David NalbandianDavid NalbandianDavid Pablo Nalbandian is an Argentine professional tennis player and former world no. 3. He was runner-up at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships and the winner of the Tennis Masters Cup in 2005.-Biography:...
defeated the RussiaRussia Davis Cup teamThe Russia Davis Cup team represents Russia in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Russian Tennis Federation. The team started playing in 1993....
team of Yevgeny KafelnikovYevgeny KafelnikovYevgeny Aleksandrovich Kafelnikov is a former World No. 1 tennis player from Russia. He won two Grand Slam singles titles , four Grand Slam doubles titles, and the men's singles gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games. He also helped Russia win the Davis Cup in 2002...
and Marat SafinMarat SafinMarat Mikhailovich Safin is a retired Russian tennis player of Tatar descent. Safin won two grand slams and reached the world number 1 ranking during his career. He was also famous for his emotional outbursts and sometimes fiery temper on court. Safin also holds the record for most broken...
in 6 hours, 20 minutes 6–4, 6–4, 5–7, 3–6, 19–17. - Most games in a doubles match before the introduction of the tiebreaker: In the American Zone Final1973 Davis CupThe 1973 Davis Cup was the 62nd edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 53 teams would enter the competition, 31 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 10 in the Eastern Zone....
of the 1973 Davis Cup1973 Davis CupThe 1973 Davis Cup was the 62nd edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 53 teams would enter the competition, 31 in the Europe Zone, 12 in the Americas Zone, and 10 in the Eastern Zone....
, the United States team of Stan SmithStan SmithStanley Roger "Stan" Smith is a former American tennis player and two time Grand Slam singles champion who also, with his partner Bob Lutz, formed one of the most successful doubles teams of all time. Together, they won many major titles all over the world...
and Erik Van DillenErik Van DillenErik Van Dillen was an American male professional tennis player.Van Dillen won a single career title, the 1973 Nottingham Open Singles title, defeating Frew McMillan .-External links:*...
took 122 games to defeat the ChileChile Davis Cup teamThe Chile Davis Cup Team represents Chile in Davis Cup tennis tournament and is governed by Chile Tennis Federation. The team is currently captained by former Chilean tennis player Hans Gildemeister.-History:...
team of Patricio CornejoPatricio CornejoPatricio Cornejo is a retired Chilean professional tennis player of the 1970s. He competed at the 1975 Davis Cup with Jaime Fillol and played the longest Davis Cup rubber in terms of games, eventually losing to Stan Smith/Erik Van Dillen of the 9–7, 39–37, 6–8, 1–6, 3–6 in the 1973 American Zone...
and Jaime FillolJaime FillolJaime Fillol is a former tennis player from Chile. He played amateur and professional tennis in the 1960s and 1970s.Fillol was ranked as high as world number 14 in singles on the ATP Rankings and number 82 in doubles .In the Open era , Fillol won seven singles titles and 15 doubles titles...
7–9, 37–39, 8–6, 6–1, 6–3. - Most games in a doubles match after the introduction of the tiebreaker: In 2007 at Wimbledon2007 Wimbledon ChampionshipsThe 2007 Wimbledon Championships were held between 25 June and 8 July 2007. For the first time there was equal prize money for the men's and women's singles champions. Reconstruction work on Centre Court was in progress and thus it had no roof....
, the team of Marcelo MeloMarcelo MeloMarcelo Melo is a Brazilian tennis player, currently ranked 22nd in the world in doubles. Alongside regular teammate André Sá, he has reached the Mens Doubles semifinal at the 2007 Wimbledon Championships and the quarterfinal at the 2007 US Open...
and André SáAndré SáAndré Rezende Sá is a professional Brazilian tennis player. He is number 29 for doubles, and 467 for singles.-Personal:...
took 102 games to defeat the team of Paul HanleyPaul Hanley (tennis)Paul Jason Hanley is a professional male tennis player from Australia, specialising in doubles. His parents, Jay and Judy, co-own a tennis centre, one of the main reasons Hanley pursued a career in the sport.He lost the 2005 Wimbledon finals in mixed doubles, playing with Tatiana Perebiynis...
and Kevin UllyettKevin UllyettKevin Ullyett is a former professional tennis player from Zimbabwe. His primary success on the tour has been in men's doubles. He has won 24 doubles titles, including the 2001 US Open and the 2005 Australian Open, both with Wayne Black...
5–7, 7–6(4), 4–6, 7–6(7), 28–26.
Australian Open
Men
Women
French Open
Men
Men's doubles
Women
Mixed doubles
Men
Men's Doubles
Women
Women's Doubles
Mixed doubles
US Open
Men
Women
Mixed doubles
Davis Cup
See also
- Tennis statisticsTennis statisticsThe following Wikipedia articles list tennis statistics:*ATP World Tour records*WTA Tour records*Grand Slam *List of Grand Slam related tennis records*List of non-Grand Slam tennis statistics and records...
- Shortest tennis match recordsShortest tennis match recordsThis article covers records concerning the shortest ever tennis matches. Matches affected by a retirement or default are not listed.-French Open:*Steffi Graf won 6–0, 6–0 in 32 minutes against Natasha Zvereva in the 1988 French Open final...
- Longest tiebreaker in tennisLongest tiebreaker in tennis-Men:In a first round doubles match at Wimbledon in 1985, Jan Gunnarsson and Michael Mortensen defeated John Frawley and Victor Pecci 6–3, 6–4, 3–6, 7–6.-Women:...