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Longest tennis match records

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Longest tennis match records

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, the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic tennis 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-obliterating Isner vs. Mahut match at Wimbledon 2010.

Contents

Men

The Isner–Mahut match at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships holds the record for the longest tennis match both in time and games played. Only two official ATP matches have lasted longer than 7 hours. Eleven matches have lasted longer than 6 hours, and 36 matches have lasted longer than 5 hours.

  • 11 h 05 Wimbledon 2010, 1st Round: John Isner def. Nicolas Mahut, 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–3), 70–68 (3 days).
  • 6 h 43 Davis Cup 2015, 1st Round: Leonardo Mayer def. João Souza, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5), 5–7, 5–7, 15–13 (1 day).
  • 6 h 33 French Open 2004, 1st Round: Fabrice Santoro def. Arnaud Clément, 6–4, 6–3, 6–7(5–7), 3–6, 16–14 (2 days).
  • 6 h 22 Davis Cup 1982, Quarterfinals: John McEnroe def. Mats Wilander, 9–7, 6–2, 15–17, 3–6, 8–6 (1 day; before tiebreak era).
  • 6 h 21 Davis Cup 1987, World Group Play-offs: Boris Becker def. John McEnroe, 4–6, 15–13, 8–10, 6–2, 6–2 (1 day; before tiebreak era).
  • 6 h 15 Davis Cup 1980, Americas Zone Final: José Luis Clerc def. John McEnroe 6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 13–11 (before tiebreak era).
  • 6 h 04 Davis Cup 1989, Quarterfinals: Horst Skoff def. Mats Wilander, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(9–7), 1–6, 6–4, 9–7 (1 day).
  • 6 h 01 Davis Cup 1982, North & Central America Zone Semifinals: Harry Fritz def. Jorge Andrew 16–14, 11–9, 9–11, 4–6, 11–9 (before tiebreak era).
  • 5 h 59 Davis Cup 2009, Semifinals: Radek Štěpánek def. Ivo Karlović, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–6(8–6), 6–7(2–7), 16–14.
  • 5 h 53 Australian Open 2012, Final: Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5.
  • 5 h 46 Davis Cup 2001, Quarterfinals: Arnaud Clément def. Marc Rosset, 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(6–8), 15–13.
  • 5 h 45 Davis Cup 2005, Europe/Africa Zone Group I 1st Round play-offs: Mehdi Tahiri def. Gilles Müller, 6–7(9–11), 6–4, 7–6(7–1), 6–7(2–7), 6–4.
  • 5 h 41 French Open 2012, 2nd Round: Paul-Henri Mathieu def. John Isner 6–7(2–7), 6–4, 6–4, 3–6, 18–16.
  • 5 h 31 French Open 1998, 3rd Round: Àlex Corretja def. Hernán Gumy 6–1, 5–7, 6–7(4–7), 7–5, 9–7.
  • 5 h 31 Wimbledon 2012, 3rd Round: Marin Čilić def. Sam Querrey 7–6(8–6), 6–4, 6–7(2–7), 6–7(3–7), 17–15.
  • 5 h 29 Davis Cup 1985, Semifinals: Michael Westphal def. Tomáš Šmíd 6–8, 1–6, 7–5, 11–9, 17–15.
  • 5 h 28 Wimbledon 1989, 2nd Round: Greg Holmes def. Todd Witsken 5–7, 6–4, 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 14–12.
  • 5 h 26 US Open 1992, Semifinals: Stefan Edberg def. Michael Chang 6–7(3–7), 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–4.
  • 5 h 25 Davis Cup 1994, 1st Round: Thomas Muster def. Michael Stich 6–4, 6–7(8–10), 4–6, 6–3, 12–10.
  • 5 h 25 Davis Cup 2011, Asia/Oceania Zone Group I 1st Round: Tatsuma Ito def. Cecil Mamiit 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–7(3–7), 9–7.
  • 5 h 23 Davis Cup 2008, Americas Zone Group I 1st Round: Pablo Cuevas def. Santiago Giraldo 6–4, 3–6, 5–7, 7–6(7–4), 6–4.
  • 5 h 22 Australian Open 2017, 1st Round: Ivo Karlović def. Horacio Zeballos 6–7(6–8), 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 22–20.
  • 5 h 20 Davis Cup 2008, Americas Zone Group II 3rd Round: Nicolás Lapentti def. Ramón Delgado 3–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–4), 6–4.
  • 5 h 15 Davis Cup 1992, 1st Round: Jaime Oncins def. Markus Zoecke 1–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–3), 2–6, 7–5.
  • 5 h 14 Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2005, Final: Rafael Nadal def. Guillermo Coria 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 7–6(8–6).
  • 5 h 14 Australian Open 2009, Semifinals: Rafael Nadal def. Fernando Verdasco 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–2), 6–7(1–7), 6–4.
  • 5 h 14 Davis Cup 2009, World Group Play-offs: Nicolás Massú def. Stefan Koubek 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 7–6(8–6).
  • 5 h 12 Wimbledon 2008, Quarterfinals: Rainer Schüttler def. Arnaud Clément 6–3, 5–7, 7–6(8–6), 6–7(7–9), 8–6.
  • 5 h 12 Wimbledon 1969, 1st Round: Pancho Gonzales def. Charlie Pasarell 22–24, 1–6, 16–14, 6–3, 11–9.
  • 5 h 11 Australian Open 1991, 3rd Round: Boris Becker def. Omar Camporese 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5), 0–6, 4–6, 14–12.
  • 5 h 10 US Open 1993, 3rd Round: Richard Krajicek def. Todd Martin 6–7(4–7), 4–6, 7–6(11–9), 6–4, 6–4.
  • 5 h 09 US Open 2004, 2nd Round: Sargis Sargsian def. Nicolás Massú 6–7(6–8), 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–4.
  • 5 h 09 Davis Cup 2012, Quarterfinals: Marin Čilić def. David Nalbandian 5–7, 6–4, 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–3.
  • 5 h 07 Davis Cup 2016, Semifinals: Juan Martin del Potro def. Andy Murray 6–4, 5–7, 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–4.
  • 5 h 07 Davis Cup 2012, Quarterfinals: Janko Tipsarević def. Radek Štěpánek 5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 4–6, 9–7.
  • 5 h 07 Davis Cup 2007, World Group Play-offs: Dudi Sela def. Nicolás Massú 6–3, 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 6–4.
  • 5 h 07 Davis Cup 1985, 1st Round: Victor Pecci def. Yannick Noah 6–8, 15–13, 2–6, 8–6, 10–8.
  • 5 h 05 Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2006, Final: Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer 6–7(0–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–5).
  • 5 h 05 Donnay Indoor Championships 1992, Final: Boris Becker def. Jim Courier 6–7(5–7), 2–6, 7–6(12–10), 7–6(7–5), 7–5.
  • 5 h 03 Tennis at the 1992 Summer Olympics 1992, Final: Marc Rosset def. Jordi Arrese 7–6(7–2), 6–4, 3–6, 4–6, 8–6.
  • 5 h 03 Davis Cup 2015, Europe/Africa Zone Group 1, 2nd Round Play-offs: Markus Eriksson def. Andreas Bjerrehus 6–7(5–7), 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–3), 9–7.
  • 5 h 02 Australian Open 2017, Semifinals: Rafael Nadal def. Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(7–5), 6-7(4-7), 6-4
  • 5 h 02 Australian Open 2013, 4th Round: Novak Djokovic def. Stanislas Wawrinka 1–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–7 (5–7), 12–10.
  • 5 h 01 US Open 1992, 4th Round: Ivan Lendl def. Boris Becker: 6–7(4–7), 6–2, 6–7(4–7), 6–3, 6–4.

    • Women

    The longest women's match (by time) took place at a tournament in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984, when Vicki Nelson took 6 hours, 31 minutes to defeat Jean Hepner 6–4, 7–6(13–11). The match featured a 29-minute, 643-shot rally, the longest in professional tennis history.

  • 6 h 31 Central Fidelity Banks International 1984, 1st round: Vicki Nelson def. Jean Hepner, 6–4, 7–6(13–11).
  • 4 h 44 Australian Open 2011, 4th round: Francesca Schiavone def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6–4, 1–6, 16–14.
  • 4 h 42 French Open 2010, qualifying competition: Kurumi Nara def. Monica Niculescu, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 10–8.
  • 4 h 19 Australian Open 2010, 1st round: Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová def. Regina Kulikova, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(10–12), 6–3.
  • 4 h 07 French Open 1995, 1st round: Virginie Buisson def. Noëlle van Lottum, 6–7(3–7), 7–5, 6–2.
  • 4 h 05 Wuhan Open 2015, qualifying 1st round: Lauren Davis def. Han Xinyun, 5–7, 7–6(7–2), 7–5.
  • 4 h 00 Fed Cup 2016, World Group 1st round: Richèl Hogenkamp def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, 7–6(7–4), 5–7, 10–8.
  • 3 h 55 French Open 1972, 3rd round: Kerry Reid def. Pam Teeguarden, 9–7, 4–6, 16–14.
  • 3 h 50 French Open 2015, 2nd round: Francesca Schiavone def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6–7(11–13), 7–5, 10–8.
  • 3 h 49 Fed Cup 2005, Americas Zone Group I, play-offs: Vilmarie Castellvi def. Aleksandra Wozniak, 7–5, 4–6, 11–9.
  • 3 h 48 Fed Cup 2016, World Group final: Karolína Plíšková def. Kristina Mladenovic, 6–3, 4–6, 16–14.
  • 3 h 47 WTA Tour Championships 1990, final: Monica Seles def. Gabriela Sabatini, 6–4, 5–7, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2.
  • 3 h 46 Australian Open 2005, qualifying 1st round: Chuang Chia-jung def. Nathalie Viérin, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 11–9.
  • 3 h 45 Wimbledon 1995, 2nd round: Chanda Rubin def. Patricia Hy-Boulais, 7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 17–15.
  • 3 h 45 Wimbledon 1987, qualifying competition: Michelle Jaggard def. Penny Barg, 6–7(3–7), 7–6(9–7), 10–8.
  • 3 h 42 Wimbledon 2016, qualifying 1st round: Risa Ozaki def. Freya Christie, 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–4), 7–5.
  • 3 h 42 Family Circle Cup 2013, 1st round: Bethanie Mattek-Sands def. Anastasia Rodionova, 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3).
  • 3 h 41 Wimbledon 2008, 1st round: Julia Görges def. Katarina Srebotnik, 4–6, 7–6(8–6), 16–14.
  • 3 h 41 Western & Southern Open 2015, qualifying 1st round: Aliaksandra Sasnovich def. Monica Niculescu, 3–6, 7–6(9–7), 7–6(11–9).
  • 3 h 41 BGL Luxembourg Open 2011, 1st round: Monica Niculescu def. Karin Knapp, 6–7(2–7), 7–5, 7–6(7–3).
  • 3 h 39 Fed Cup 2014, World Group II: María Irigoyen def. Kurumi Nara, 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–4.
  • 3 h 38 French Open 2016, 2nd round: Irina-Camelia Begu def. Coco Vandeweghe, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–4), 10–8.
  • 3 h 38 Bausch & Lomb Championships 2002, 3rd round: Sandrine Testud def. Conchita Martínez, 5–7, 6–4, 7–6(8–6).
  • 3 h 36 French Open 1993, quarterfinals: Mary Joe Fernández def. Gabriela Sabatini, 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 10–8.
  • 3 h 36 Australian Open 2017, 3rd round: Svetlana Kuznetsova def. Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 5-7, 9-7.
  • 3 h 35 German Open 2008, 1st round: Nadia Petrova def. Katarina Srebotnik, 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 7–6(7–2).
  • 3 h 35 Fed Cup 2004, World Group quarterfinals: Els Callens def. Virginia Ruano Pascual, 2–6, 6–4, 11–9.
  • 3 h 34 Australian Open 2009, 1st round: Galina Voskoboeva def. Ágnes Szávay, 6–3, 3–6, 6–4.
  • 3 h 33 Internazionali Femminili di Palermo 2008, 1st round: Corinna Dentoni def. Alberta Brianti, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–5.
  • 3 h 33 Australian Open 1996, quarterfinals: Chanda Rubin def. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6–4, 2–6, 16–14.
  • 3 h 32 Fed Cup 2007, World Group II Play-offs: Jelena Janković def. Dominika Cibulková, 7–5, 1–6, 9–7.
  • 3 h 32 Mexican Open 2017, 2nd round: Kristina Mladenovic def. Heather Watson, 7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 7–5.
  • 3 h 31 Brisbane International 2009, 2nd round: Sara Errani def. Tsvetana Pironkova, 6–7(3–7), 7–5, 6–3.
  • 3 h 31 Mazda Classic 1992, 1st round: Stephanie Rehe def. Mercedes Paz, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–4.
  • 3 h 30 Fed Cup 2011, Asia/Oceania Zone Group II – Play-offs: Stefanie Tan def. Anna Christine Patrimonio, 7–6(7–4), 2–6, 7–6(7–5).
  • 3 h 30 Canberra International 2006, semifinals: Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Shahar Pe'er, 6–7(4–7), 7–5, 6–4.

    • Doubles

  • Longest doubles match by time: In a 2013 Davis Cup first round tie, the Czech Republic team of Tomáš Berdych and Lukáš Rosol defeated the Switzerland team of Stanislas Wawrinka and Marco Chiudinelli in 7 hours, 02 minutes 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 24–22.
  • Most games in a doubles match before the introduction of the tiebreaker: In the American Zone Final of the 1973 Davis Cup, the United States team of Stan Smith and Erik Van Dillen took 122 games to defeat the Chile team of Patricio Cornejo and Jaime Fillol 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 Wimbledon, the team of Marcelo Melo and André Sá took 102 games to defeat the team of Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett 5–7, 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 7–6(9–7), 28–26.

    • Men

    On 1 September 2016, Paolo Lorenzi and Gilles Simon played for 4 hours and 58 minutes. On August 2016, Fabio Fognini and Teimuraz Gabashvili played for 4 hours and 52 minutes.

    Summer Olympics

  • Note: The International Olympic Committee does not recognise records in tennis. Therefore, all the records listed below are unofficial.

    • Overall

  • Before the introduction of the tiebreaker method:
  • Longest match by time and number of games played: Gordon Lowe def. Augustos Zerlendis at the 1920 Summer Olympics, 76 games, ca. 6 h.
  • After the introduction of the tiebreaker method:
  • Longest match by time played: Boris Becker def. Christian Ruud at the 1992 Summer Olympics, first round, 5 h and 53 min (56 games).
  • Longest match by number of games: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Milos Raonic at the 2012 Olympics, 66 games (3 h 57 min).

    • Men

    Singles, best-of-three-sets system
    Singles, best-of-five-sets system
    Doubles

    Women

    Singles
    Doubles

    References

    Longest tennis match records Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA