A player can be two sets from defeat and still win a Grand Slam match. That is the special drama of men’s five-set tennis: momentum can shift, a tiring opponent can lose control of a rally, and a match that seems finished can turn into a fight again. Some of the sport’s most memorable comebacks have happened in finals; others began on an outside court with the player in trouble and little reason to expect a rescue.
Most fans mean one specific thing by a five-set comeback: winning after losing the first two sets. It is a steep climb, but not an impossible one. Here are some of the best-known examples, what makes them remarkable, and the tactics that can help a player find a way back.
What counts as a five-set comeback?
In Grand Slam singles, men play best-of-five-set matches. A player who loses the first two sets must win the next three to advance. That is different from coming back after losing just one set, or saving match points while still level in sets. Both can be dramatic, but neither is a comeback from two sets down.
Women’s Grand Slam singles matches are best of three, so there are no five-set comebacks in women’s singles. The term usually refers to men’s singles, though men’s doubles can also be played over five sets at some majors.
A two-set deficit does not mean the trailing player is one point from elimination: they still have to lose a third set. But the leader has a large advantage. They need only one more set, while the player behind has to win three in a row, often against an opponent who has already found a successful game plan.
Famous Grand Slam comebacks from two sets down
These matches show how varied a comeback can be. Some turned on a change in tactics; others hinged on a sudden drop in the leader’s level or on the trailing player surviving a match point.
| Match | Score | What made it memorable |
|---|---|---|
| Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe, 1984 French Open final | 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 | Lendl recovered against a formidable opponent in a major final, turning a two-set deficit into one of the defining wins of his career. |
| Rafael Nadal def. Robert Kendrick, 2005 Wimbledon | 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-4 | Nadal saved match points before gradually taking control. He was 19 and making his first major impact on grass. |
| Roger Federer def. Marin Cilic, 2016 Wimbledon | 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3 | Cilic held three match points in the fourth set. Federer escaped, won the tiebreak, and took the deciding set. |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas def. Rafael Nadal, 2021 Australian Open | 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-5 | Tsitsipas stayed close enough to make Nadal work, then raised his level in the final three sets. |
| Dominic Thiem def. Alexander Zverev, 2020 US Open final | 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(6) | Thiem became the first man in the Open Era to win the US Open final from two sets down. |
| Rafael Nadal def. Daniil Medvedev, 2022 Australian Open final | 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 | Nadal recovered from a two-set deficit to win his 21st major singles title at the time. |
How a comeback takes shape
The first job is often not to win the match immediately, but to stop the leader from winning it comfortably. A player behind by two sets may shorten points to avoid exhausting rallies, or do the opposite: make the opponent hit one extra ball and test whether their level holds under pressure. The right choice depends on the matchup. A player with a big serve might look for quick holds; a strong defender may try to make the leader earn every point.
Small tactical adjustments matter. A returner might stand closer to the baseline to take time away from a second serve. A player struggling with a heavy topspin forehand could move around the ball more often and attack the backhand instead. The aim is to disrupt a pattern that has been working for the opponent—not to produce a completely new game in one set.
Momentum also has to be managed carefully. Winning the third set keeps the match alive, but it does not erase the deficit. The trailing player still needs two more sets, and the leader may regroup. That is why a comeback often involves several turning points rather than one dramatic shot: a held serve, a saved break point, a successful tiebreak, then another strong start.
Physical endurance can help, but it is not a guarantee. Five-set matches reward fitness, yet tired players can still find energy when the stakes are high. Mental discipline is just as important: focus on the next service game rather than the whole mountain still to climb.
Why match points make some comebacks unforgettable
Saving match points adds another layer of danger. In Federer’s 2016 Wimbledon match against Cilic, the Croatian was three points away from victory while serving at 5-4 in the fourth set. Federer survived that game, then won the set in a tiebreak and the match in the fifth. Nadal’s 2005 win over Kendrick also included saved match points.
These moments are memorable because the trailing player has almost no room left for error. But the score alone does not tell the whole story. The player in front still has to serve out the match, and the player behind has to take the opportunity when it appears. A missed first serve, a brave return, or a long rally that changes the crowd’s mood can all make a difference.
Not every celebrated five-set match is a two-set comeback. Novak Djokovic’s 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer, for example, went the distance and included two saved championship points, but Djokovic did not lose the first two sets. It is a comeback in the broader sense, not a win from two sets down.
Scoring rules and the fifth set
All four Grand Slams now use a 10-point tiebreak at 6-6 in the deciding set. A player must win at least 10 points and lead by two to take that tiebreak. The rule was standardized in 2022, replacing different deciding-set formats at the majors. The change means a fifth set can still be long, but it cannot continue indefinitely without a tiebreak.
That rule does not make a two-set comeback easy. The player who has recovered still has to win three consecutive sets, and may have to handle a high-pressure deciding tiebreak at the end. It does, however, give both players a clear finish if the final set reaches 6-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “coming back from two sets down” mean?
It means winning a best-of-five match after losing the first two sets. The player must then win the next three sets in a row.
Can women’s Grand Slam singles matches have five-set comebacks?
No. Women’s singles matches at the Grand Slams are best of three sets. Women can come back from one set down, but not from two sets down in singles.
What is one of the most famous Grand Slam five-set comebacks?
There is no single agreed choice, but Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open final win over Medvedev stands out: he recovered from two sets down to win the title. Federer’s 2016 Wimbledon victory over Cilic is another landmark, especially because Federer saved three match points.
Does saving match points count as coming back from two sets down?
Not necessarily. A player can save match points without having lost the first two sets. “From two sets down” describes the score in sets; “saving match points” describes how close the opponent came to winning.
Final Thoughts
A two-set comeback is a test of nerve as much as fitness. The player behind needs to change something, stay patient, and keep converting small chances into another set. The match examples show why the format remains so compelling: even when the score looks decisive, one break, one tiebreak, or one saved match point can reopen the contest.
