Top five longest tennis matches in Grand Slam history

Tennis singles is arguably the most physically-challenging sport. It requires flexibility, hand-eye coordination, endurance, and explosive strength. For the whole duration of a match, the players must also be in peak physical and mental condition.

The Grand Slam events are more difficult for players in every way than the other ATP Tour tournaments, which follow a best-of-three-set format. The women's Grand Slam matches are always best of three sets, while the men's main draw matches are best of five sets. This format often results in prolonged battles on the court, in which a player has to grind hours and hours for victory. 

In the first round of the recent US Open 2024, Dan Evans of Britain defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 in five hours and 35 minutes. As the longest match in US Open history, the match set multiple records and went down in history. 

Let's take a look back at the five longest Grand Slam tennis matches ever.

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

Dan Evans fought for five hours and 35 minutes to defeat Russian Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 in the opening round of the 2024 US Open. Evans defeated Khachanov, the 23rd seed, after trailing 0–4 in the decisive set. 

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)

The Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is regarded as one of the greatest tennis matches ever and is the longest Grand Slam final ever. 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. During the post-match presentation, both players were compelled to defy tradition and sit down due to exhaustion. 

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. 

In addition to being the longest match in tennis history at the time, it was 11 minutes longer than the previous record, which was set in a Davis Cup match in 1982 between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, which lasted six hours and 22 minutes.

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

Two enormous players, American John Isner (6'10") and South African Kevin Anderson (6'8"), engaged in a memorable match in the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals. During their battle for their first Wimbledon final appearance, Anderson defeated Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24. The final set lasted two hours and 55 minutes, and there were 247 winners and 102 thunderbolt aces in the match. 

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

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

In the opening round of the men's singles at the 2010 Wimbledon, John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut played the longest tennis match of all-time. Due to delays brought on by a lack of natural light and an electronic scoreboard malfunction, the match lasted for three days, beginning on June 22 and ending on June 24.  Isner won the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. 

The match featured an unprecedented total of 183 games, with the fifth set alone lasting eight hours and 11 minutes. Since the tie-break rule is now used to determine the final set in tennis matches, it is highly unlikely that this record for the longest match between Isner and Mahut will be broken. 

Cover Credits - Tennis.com