Longest tennis matches of all time ranked

Tennis can be a war of attrition. Sure, a hammered forehand winner or silky drop shot is nice but sometimes it’s about outlasting your opponent.

Long rallies, epic sets, and marathon matches require endurance. Often it’s the player who can push themselves right to the limit, physically and emotionally, that come out on top.

That is certainly the case at Grand Slams, where players must win more matches and, in the case of the men’s singles, more sets, if they are to succeed.

It means more at the majors – and perhaps that’s why the longest tennis match in history happened at Wimbledon.

Radio Times delves into the history books to uncover the longest matches ever played in tennis, showcasing the sport’s most epic endurance tests.

What is the longest tennis match of all time?

11 hours, 5 minutes

John Isner def. Nicolas Mahut

2010 Wimbledon Round 1: 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68

4 hours and 22 minutes goes down as an extremely long tennis match regardless, but that time does not mark the longest match ever, only the difference between the first and second longest singles matches in the history of tennis.

A first round encounter at Wimbledon in 2010 saw an American and a Frenchman make a piece of sporting history that will almost certainly never be surpassed.

Beginning on 22nd June, the now fabled Court 18 at the All-England Club hosted a three-day epic that ended on 24th June. Big-serving American John Isner (No.23 seed) defeated French qualifier Nicolas Mahut in an unprecedented event lasting an astonishing 183 games.

The match mesmerised spectators, players, fans, and even the scoreboard, which was only programmed to go to 50-50.

In total, the match took 11 hours and 5 minutes, with history being shattered almost every time one of the gladiators on court held their serve. Finally, Isner converted his fifth match point (four of which came the previous day) to send both players into an exhausted embrace at the net.

Each player was presented with a crystal bowl following the match to recognise their immense achievement, and fans who visit Court 18 can now see a special plaque commemorating the match.

Isner was handily beaten in the next round, but the pair would meet on the same court in the same round a year later in a far more conventional affair.

The match would have a lasting impact on the sport, with its existence being a key factor in all Grand Slams now operating with a final set tie-break, meaning we will never see its like again.

Longest tennis matches of all time

1. 11 hours, 5 minutes – John Isner def. Nicolas Mahut – 2010 Wimbledon R1 – 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68
2. 6 hours, 43 minutes – Leonardo Mayer def. João Souza – 2015 Davis Cup R1 – 7-6 7-6 5-7 5-7 15-13
3. 6 hours, 36 minutes – Kevin Anderson def. John Isner – 2018 Wimbledon SF – 7-6 6-7 6-7 6-4 26-24
4. 6 hours, 33 minutes – Fabrice Santoro def. Arnaud Clément – 2004 French Open R1 – 6-4 6-3 6-7 3-6 16-14
5. 6 hours, 31 minutes – Vicki Nelson def. Jean Hepner – 1984 CFB International R1 – 6-4 7-6

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