Tennis is one of the most popular and iconic sports in the world. It’s a sport with a long and rich history, and it’s no surprise that some of its matches have made their way into the record books. One record in particular stands out — the longest tennis match ever played.
The record-breaking match took place in June 2010 at the Wimbledon Championships, and it lasted an astonishing 11 hours and 5 minutes. The match pitted John Isner of the United States against Nicolas Mahut of France, and it ended with Isner finally winning 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–3), 70–68.
The Players
John Isner is an American professional tennis player who was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1985. He currently plays on the ATP Tour and is ranked as the No. 17 player in the world. In 2010, he was ranked No. 9 in the world and entered the Wimbledon Championships as the No. 23 seed.
Nicolas Mahut is a French professional tennis player who was born in 1982. He currently plays on the ATP Tour and is ranked as the No. 68 player in the world. In 2010, he was ranked No. 148 in the world and entered the Wimbledon Championships as an unseeded player.
The Match
The match between Isner and Mahut began on June 22, 2010. It was the first round of the Wimbledon Championships, and the two players had already been playing for two days before the match was suspended due to darkness. When the match resumed, it went on for an astonishing 8 hours, 11 minutes.
The match was played in a best-of-five-sets format. Each set was won by one of the players. Isner won the first, third, and fifth sets, while Mahut won the second and fourth. The fifth set was the longest, with Isner ultimately winning the set 70–68.
The Stats
The match between Isner and Mahut was unlike anything tennis fans had ever seen before. The duration of the match was 11 hours and 5 minutes, making it the longest tennis match ever played. The fifth set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes, making it the longest set ever played.
In addition to the length of the match, the statistics were extraordinary. Isner and Mahut combined to hit a total of 1081 points, with Isner hitting 581 and Mahut hitting 500. Isner also hit 103 aces, which is a record for a single match.
The Reactions
The match between Isner and Mahut was hailed as one of the greatest ever played. It was dubbed “The Epic Match” by the media, and it quickly became a fan favorite. Even players from other sports praised the match, with Kobe Bryant tweeting “That Isner/Mahut match is epic. Wow.”
The match also received praise from the tennis world. Roger Federer, who was the top-ranked men’s singles player in 2010, said “I think it was an amazing match. It was a very, very long match and I think it was great entertainment.”
The Aftermath
The match between Isner and Mahut had a lasting impact on tennis. The match was so long and so intense that the two players had to be given a day of rest following the match. This prompted Wimbledon to institute a tie-break in the fifth set for all future matches.
The match also had an impact on the two players. Isner went on to have a successful career and is currently ranked No. 17 in the world. Mahut, meanwhile, has been hampered by injuries in recent years and is currently ranked No. 68 in the world.
The Legacy
The match between Isner and Mahut will always be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of tennis. It was a match that pushed both players to their physical and mental limits, and it is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of both players.
It is a match that will live on in the record books and in the hearts of tennis fans around the world. It is a match that will never be forgotten.
Conclusion
The match between Isner and Mahut was one of the most memorable in history. It was a match that pushed both players to their physical and mental limits, and it is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of both players. It is a match that will never be forgotten, and it stands as a reminder of the power of the sport of tennis.
John Isner, Nicolas Mahut, Wimbledon Championships, ATP Tour, The Epic Match, Kobe Bryant, Roger Federer, Tie-break, The Longest Tennis Match Ever Played, The Longest Set Ever Played