What’s the Longest Tie Break in Tennis?
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world and it is filled with exciting moments and competition. One of the most exciting aspects of tennis is the tie break. During a tie break, players battle it out to see who can win the most points and take the set. In some cases, the tie break can become incredibly long and exciting. So what is the longest tie break in tennis ever recorded?
What is a Tie Break?
A tie break is a game in tennis that is played when the set score reaches 6-6. During a tie break, each player serves two points in a row and then alternates until one player has won 7 points and is declared the winner. It is essentially a sudden death match, as the first player to 7 points is the victor.
Tie Breaks in Professional Tennis
In professional tennis, tie breaks are a common occurrence. In the four Grand Slam tournaments, tie breaks are mandatory in the final set of a match. During the four Grand Slam tournaments, tie breaks have been known to last an incredibly long time. The longest tie break ever recorded in professional tennis was during the 2004 French Open.
The Longest Tie Break in Professional Tennis
The longest tie break in professional tennis was during the 2004 French Open, between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clément. The match lasted an incredible 6 hours and 33 minutes, with the tie break alone lasting an hour and 10 minutes. The tie break saw Santoro win 18 points to Clement’s 16, with the match finishing 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(5), 3-6, 16-14.
The Longest Tie Break in Professional Doubles Tennis
The longest tie break in professional doubles tennis was between Björn Borg and Tom Gullikson, during the 1981 Davis Cup. The match lasted 4 hours and 43 minutes, with the tie break lasting an incredible 45 minutes. Borg and Gullikson were playing against the Dutch duo of Tom Okker and Marty Riessen. The tie break lasted an incredible 45 minutes and saw the Dutch pair win 18 points to Borg and Gullikson’s 16.
What is the Longest Tie Break Ever Recorded?
The longest tie break ever recorded was during a match between Robert Fuchs and Marcus Berrettini, in the 2010 Challenger Tour. The match lasted an incredible 4 hours and 40 minutes, with the tie break alone lasting an incredible 1 hour and 23 minutes. Fuchs won the tie break 21 points to 19, with the match ultimately ending 7-6 (26-24).
Notable Tie Breaks in Professional Tennis
While the longest tie break ever recorded was during the 2010 Challenger Tour, there have been a number of incredibly long tie breaks in professional tennis. Here is a list of some of the most notable tie breaks in professional tennis:
- Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, 2012 Australian Open: This tie break lasted an incredible 37 points and saw Djokovic win 20 points to Nadal’s 17. The match ended 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
- Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick, 2009 Wimbledon: This tie break lasted an incredible 18 minutes and saw Federer win 19 points to Roddick’s 17. The match ended 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7).
- John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut, 2010 Wimbledon: This tie break lasted an incredible 10 minutes and saw Isner win 18 points to Mahut’s 16. The match ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3), 70-68.
The Impact of Long Tie Breaks
Long tie breaks can have a huge impact on a match. It can be incredibly exhausting for players to have to battle it out for such a long time, as it requires a great amount of mental and physical strength. It can also be incredibly exciting for spectators, as they get to witness a battle between two incredibly skilled tennis players.
Conclusion
The longest tie break in tennis ever recorded was during the 2010 Challenger Tour, between Robert Fuchs and Marcus Berrettini. The tie break lasted an incredible 1 hour and 23 minutes, with Fuchs ultimately winning 21 points to 19. There have also been a number of other notable long tie breaks in professional tennis, such as the one between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the 2012 Australian Open. Long tie breaks can have a huge impact on a match, as they can be incredibly exhausting for players and incredibly exciting for spectators.
References
- Tennis-X.com, “The Longest Tie Breaks in Tennis,” Tennis-X.com, Accessed April 26, 2021, https://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2011-08-11/14862.php
- Tennis World, “The longest tie-break ever in the history of tennis,” Tennis World, Accessed April 26, 2021, https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/41529/the-longest-tiebreak-ever-in-the-history-of-tennis/
- Tennis Now, “Longest Tiebreak in Tennis History,” Tennis Now, Accessed April 26, 2021, https://www.tennisnow.com/News/2011/August/Longest-Tiebreak-in-Tennis-History.aspx