A Grand Slam champions comeback can mean two very different things: a player clawing back during a match, or a former champion rebuilding a career after injury, poor form or time away. The most memorable title runs often combine both—a champion returns to the big stage, then finds another gear when the match is slipping away.
From Rafael Nadal’s two-set recovery at the 2022 Australian Open to Kim Clijsters winning a major after becoming a mother, these stories show what a comeback looks like at tennis’s highest level. Here are landmark examples, and the details that made each one special.
Comebacks from behind in a Grand Slam match
Winning a Grand Slam match after losing the first two sets is rare. Doing it in a final is rarer still. Players who manage it have to solve a problem under intense pressure: change the pattern, manage their energy and keep believing when the scoreboard looks bleak.
| Champion | Tournament | Comeback | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal | 2022 Australian Open | Recovered from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev | 2–6, 6–7(5), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 |
| Dominic Thiem | 2020 US Open | Recovered from two sets down against Alexander Zverev | 2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(6) |
| Andre Agassi | 1999 French Open | Recovered from two sets to one down against Andrei Medvedev | 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
Nadal’s five-set Australian Open final
Nadal was two sets down to Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final, with the Russian controlling much of the early match. Nadal did not suddenly start hitting winners from every corner. Instead, he made Medvedev work through longer rallies, found more chances to attack the second serve and kept pushing the ball deep. The shift helped Nadal take the third and fourth sets before he edged a tense fifth.
The win gave Nadal a men’s-record 21st major singles title at the time. It was also a striking return after a foot injury had limited his playing time in 2021. The match is a useful reminder that a comeback often starts with small tactical changes, not one spectacular shot.
Thiem and Agassi complete major final turnarounds
At the 2020 US Open, Thiem fell two sets behind Zverev and later had to fight through a deciding-set tiebreak. He steadied himself, found a way to put more pressure on Zverev’s serve and won the championship point on his fourth match point. It was the first time a man had won a US Open final after losing the first two sets since 1949.
Agassi’s 1999 French Open final is another remarkable example. Andrei Medvedev took the first two sets, but Agassi changed the match by taking the ball earlier and attacking more decisively. The title completed Agassi’s career Grand Slam, meaning he had won all four major tournaments. It capped a dramatic career revival after his ranking had fallen outside the top 100 in 1997.
Champions who survived match points
A player can be one or two points from defeat without losing a set. Novak Djokovic proved that in the 2019 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. Federer held two championship points on his own serve at 8–7 in the fifth set. Djokovic saved them, won the game and went on to take the deciding-set tiebreak.
The score—7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3)—reflects how narrow the difference was. Djokovic’s ability to stay composed on Federer’s serve was crucial. He focused on returning the next ball and making Federer play, rather than letting the importance of the moment take over.
Serena Williams produced a different kind of fight at the 2005 Australian Open. In her semifinal against Maria Sharapova, Williams was in serious trouble in the third set, but turned the match around and won 2–6, 7–5, 8–6. She then beat top seed Lindsay Davenport in the final. That title was a reminder of how dangerous Serena could be even when her form or fitness was being questioned.
Career comebacks that led to Grand Slam titles
Some of the most inspiring Grand Slam champions’ comebacks take months or years rather than a single match. The challenge is not just to recover physically. Players also have to regain timing, confidence and a place among opponents who have kept improving.
- Roger Federer, 2017 Australian Open: After six months away with a knee injury, Federer returned and beat Nadal in a five-set final. The title was his first major since 2012 and showed that a long break did not have to end his hopes of winning at the top.
- Novak Djokovic, 2018 Wimbledon: Following elbow problems and surgery, Djokovic returned to win Wimbledon. His five-set semifinal against Nadal was a major test, and the title began a run of renewed success at the majors.
- Goran Ivanišević, 2001 Wimbledon: Ranked outside the top 100 and admitted to the tournament as a wildcard, Ivanišević finally won Wimbledon after three previous runner-up finishes. He beat Pat Rafter in a five-set final.
- Kim Clijsters, 2009 US Open: After retiring and starting a family, Clijsters returned to the tour and won the US Open as an unseeded player. Her win over Caroline Wozniacki in the final made her the first mother to win a major singles title since 1980.
These returns were not identical. Federer and Djokovic came back from injury, Ivanišević made one last push after years of near misses, and Clijsters rebuilt her career after stepping away from tennis. What they shared was patience: each had to regain competitive sharpness before a major title became possible.
What helps a champion come back?
There is no single comeback formula, but the best examples have a few things in common. First, the player identifies what is not working. That might mean returning from closer to the baseline, serving more accurately or making an opponent hit one extra ball. A comeback is often a string of smart decisions rather than a sudden surge of power.
Second, champions manage their attention. When a player is behind, thinking about the trophy or the whole match can feel overwhelming. Focusing on the next point makes the task more manageable. Finally, experience matters. Champions have often faced tense moments before, so they know how to slow down, reset between points and stick with a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which player has made the most famous Grand Slam final comeback?
There is no single official ranking, but Nadal’s two-set recovery against Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final is one of the clearest modern examples. Thiem’s 2020 US Open final comeback and Agassi’s 1999 French Open turnaround are also notable.
Has a player won a Grand Slam final after being two sets down?
Yes. Nadal beat Medvedev at the 2022 Australian Open, and Thiem beat Zverev at the 2020 US Open after losing the first two sets. Agassi also came back from two sets down to win the 1999 French Open final.
Which Grand Slam champion returned after becoming a mother?
Kim Clijsters returned to professional tennis after having a child and won the 2009 US Open. She also won the 2010 US Open, becoming a major example of a successful career comeback after motherhood.
Does a tennis comeback always mean winning from match point down?
No. It can mean recovering within a match, returning from injury or rebuilding a career after retirement or a long period of poor results. Each kind demands resilience, but the time and challenges involved are different.
Final Thoughts
Grand Slam comebacks stand out because they combine skill with nerve. Nadal and Thiem changed the course of finals from two sets down; Djokovic survived championship points at Wimbledon; and players such as Clijsters, Federer and Ivanišević returned to the sport’s biggest stage by different routes. Their stories show that a match—or a career—is not over just because the odds have turned against you.
