What is the Longest Tennis Set?
Tennis is a sport full of surprises, and one of the most exciting aspects of the game is that no one knows how long a match will last. That’s why the longest set in tennis is such a remarkable feat, as it can take hours to complete. In this article, we’ll explore the longest tennis set ever recorded, as well as some of the other longest sets in the sport’s history.
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The Longest Set On Record
The longest set in tennis history occurred at the 2004 Davis Cup match between Fabrice Santoro of France and Arnaud Clément of the same country. The match lasted six hours and 33 minutes, with Santoro ultimately prevailing 6–4, 6–3, 6–7 (5–7) 7–6 (7–5), 16–14. The match began at 7:30 pm local time, and finished at 2:03 am the next day. The two players combined for a total of 183 games, with Santoro ultimately edging out Clément in the final tiebreaker.
Other Notable Long Sets
In addition to Santoro and Clément’s remarkable match, there have been several other sets that have come close to matching the record. In 2010, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played the longest match in Wimbledon history, lasting 11 hours and five minutes. The match ended in the fifth set when Isner finally defeated Mahut 6–4, 3–6, 6–7 (7–9), 7–6 (7–3), 70–68.
The longest match at the US Open was between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2012. The match lasted four hours and 54 minutes, with Djokovic eventually winning 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7 (5–7), 7–5.
The Longest Tiebreaker
The longest tiebreaker in tennis history also occurred in that 2004 Davis Cup match between Santoro and Clément. The tiebreaker lasted for 20 minutes, with Santoro eventually prevailing 18–16. This tiebreaker is notable not only because of its length, but also because it was the deciding point of the match.
The Longest Women’s Match
The longest recorded women’s match took place at the 1995 Australian Open between Zina Garrison and Pam Shriver. The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes, with Garrison ultimately winning 6–4, 6–7 (7–9), 6–2, 7–6 (7–5).
The Longest Match On Grass
The longest match ever on grass is also part of the record books, with two players in the 2009 Wimbledon tournament lasting 11 hours and five minutes. The match was between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, and Isner ultimately won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7 (7–9), 7–6 (7–3), 70–68.
The Longest Rally
The longest rally in tennis history also occurred at the 2009 Wimbledon tournament, with Isner and Mahut combining for a rally of 129 shots. The rally lasted for nearly one minute and 30 seconds, with Isner ultimately winning the point.
The Longest Tiebreak
The longest tiebreak in tennis history occurred during the 2005 French Open match between Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Lapentti. The tiebreak lasted for 28 points, with Nadal ultimately winning 16–14.
The Longest Match On Clay
The longest match ever on clay was between Guillermo Coria and David Nalbandian at the 2004 Davis Cup. The match lasted six hours and 24 minutes, with Coria eventually winning 6–3, 6–3, 6–7 (3–7), 4–6, 16–14.
The Longest Match At The US Open
The longest match at the US Open was between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2012. The match lasted four hours and 54 minutes, with Djokovic eventually winning 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7 (5–7), 7–5.
Conclusion:
Tennis is full of surprises, and no one can predict how long a match may last. The longest set in tennis history was the 2004 Davis Cup match between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clément, which lasted six hours and 33 minutes. However, there have been several other notable long sets, including John Isner and Nicolas Mahut’s 11-hour match at Wimbledon in 2010 and Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s four-hour match at the US Open in 2012. In addition, the longest rally and tiebreakers in tennis history also occurred at the 2009 Wimbledon tournament, with Isner and Mahut combining for a 129-shot rally and 28-point tiebreak, respectively.
No matter how long the match may last, tennis is always an exciting sport to watch. With so many thrilling moments, it’s no wonder why the longest sets in tennis are some of the most memorable.