The Longest Tennis Match - Tiebreak Rule Changes Explained

The longest tennis match of all time played between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010, is a legendary encounter that epitomizes endurance, determination, and the spirit of competition. This epic match, which spanned three days and lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, captivated the world and left an indelible mark on the history of tennis (triggering a rule change in grand slams!).

The Match

The first-round match at Wimbledon between Nicolas Mahut of France and John Isner of the United States began on June 22, 2010. Both players were relatively unknown to the broader tennis audience at the time. However, their names would soon become synonymous with one of the most extraordinary displays of perseverance in sports history. From the outset, it was clear that this would be a closely contested battle. The first four sets were evenly split, with Isner taking the first and fourth sets, 6-4, 6-7, and Mahut winning the second and third sets, 6-3, 7-6. As the match moved into the fifth set, no one could have predicted the marathon that was about to unfold.

The Fifth Set

The fifth set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes, longer than any entire match previously recorded. This is because, at the time, the rules of Grand Slam matches dictated that the winner of the fifth and deciding set would have to win with a difference of 2 games (meaning 8-6) and there was no final set tiebreak. Both players held serve repeatedly, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. The set stretched on and on, with neither Mahut nor Isner able to break the other's serve and therefore there could not be a difference of 2 games which made the match go on and on. The spectators, initially just a handful, grew into a packed and buzzing crowd as word of the marathon match spread. The score climbed to previously unimaginable heights. Both players exhibited incredible skill and stamina, refusing to yield despite their obvious exhaustion. Each service game was fiercely contested, with both Mahut and Isner delivering powerful serves and clutch volleys under immense pressure.

The Outcome

Finally, on June 24, 2010, after three days of intense competition, John Isner managed to break Mahut's serve to win the fifth set 70-68. The final scoreline read 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68, and the match entered the record books as the longest in tennis history. The players embraced at the net, exhausted but full of mutual respect for the incredible battle they had fought.

The Aftermath

This match went on for so long and the flaw in the scoring system became known to the International Tennis Federation, which led to them changing the rules of the final deciding set in a Wimbledon match (best of 5 sets).

This rule stipulated that in Wimbledon if a match went to a final and deciding set, the players would battle it out for a difference of 2 games till the score reached 12-12 (as it did in the case of the 2019 final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic). Meaning if the score is 9-7 then the player with 9 games would win. But, if there has been no winner till 12-12, then that would trigger a super tiebreak to decide the match - the first player to win 10 points with a difference of 2 points.

Later, in 2022, this rule was changed and all 4 Grand Slams were brought to terms with uniformity on how to decide a 5-set match. The current rule for all 5-setter matches is that a final set tiebreak will be played at 6-6 and this tiebreak would be a super tiebreak as explained previously.

The Legacy

The Mahut-Isner match is remembered not just for its duration, but for the extraordinary physical and mental resilience shown by both players and the fact that it triggered a rule change in the scoring system. It highlighted the unique demands of tennis, where matches can test the limits of endurance and willpower. The sheer length and intensity of the match were astonishing, but what truly stood out was the unwavering determination of both players. Watching them battle through fatigue and pain, refusing to give in, was a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity for endurance. This match is not just a piece of tennis history; it's an epic tale of perseverance and passion that continues to inspire.