The longest match in Grand Slam history was John Isner against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. It lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, stretched across three days, and ended with a fifth-set score of 70–68. No other major singles match has come close to that duration.
That record is an outlier, though. The lengthiest matches at the other majors each have their own story, from a six-and-a-half-hour French Open battle to the epic Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Here are the records, how they happened, and why a match like Isner–Mahut is unlikely to happen again.
Longest Grand Slam Singles Matches by Tournament
| Grand Slam | Longest match | Duration | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic, 2012 final | 5 hours, 53 minutes | Djokovic won in five sets |
| French Open | Fabrice Santoro vs. Arnaud Clément, 2004 first round | 6 hours, 33 minutes | Santoro won 16–14 in the fifth set |
| Wimbledon | John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut, 2010 first round | 11 hours, 5 minutes | Isner won 70–68 in the fifth set |
| US Open | Stefan Edberg vs. Michael Chang, 1992 semifinal | 5 hours, 26 minutes | Edberg won in five sets |
Match times are generally reported by the tournaments and tennis record books. They can vary slightly between sources, but these are the commonly cited records for Grand Slam men’s singles.
Wimbledon’s 11-Hour Record: Isner vs. Mahut
Isner and Mahut’s first-round match at Wimbledon in 2010 is the longest match in major tennis history. Isner eventually won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68. The final set alone lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes and included 138 games.
The players began on June 22. After the match was suspended for darkness, they returned the next day and played until darkness stopped them again at 59–59 in the fifth set. They finished on June 24, with Isner breaking Mahut’s serve to close out the match. The fifth-set score was so extraordinary that the scoreboard at Court 18 could not display it properly.
Both players relied heavily on their serve, which made breaks of serve rare. Isner hit 113 aces and Mahut hit 103, setting a combined record of 216. The match was a remarkable display of stamina, but it was also a contest of serving patterns and patience: at that score, one missed first serve or loose return could decide the whole match.
Other Major Grand Slam Marathons
French Open: Santoro vs. Clément, 2004
Before Isner and Mahut, the longest Grand Slam match was Fabrice Santoro’s five-set win over Arnaud Clément at Roland Garros. It lasted 6 hours and 33 minutes. Santoro won 6–4, 6–3, 6–7, 3–6, 16–14, with the last set alone requiring 30 games.
Unlike Wimbledon’s grass, Roland Garros clay tends to produce longer rallies and more demanding points. Santoro was known for mixing spins, pace and angles, while Clément had to keep working through the court. Their match shows how a long contest can come from repeated tactical battles, not just big serves and quick holds.
Australian Open: Nadal vs. Djokovic, 2012
The longest Australian Open match was also one of the most famous finals of the modern era. Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5 after 5 hours and 53 minutes. The final was a test of movement and endurance, with both players defending relentlessly and trying to force errors from the back of the court.
After the match, the exhausted finalists needed chairs during the trophy presentation. That image captured the effort better than any statistic. Unlike Isner–Mahut, this was a conventional five-set match with no record-breaking final-set score; its length came from the intensity and duration of the rallies.
US Open: Edberg vs. Chang, 1992
Stefan Edberg’s semifinal win over Michael Chang at the 1992 US Open lasted 5 hours and 26 minutes. Edberg advanced in five sets, overcoming a determined opponent who made him earn almost every opening. It remains the US Open’s longest singles match by duration.
Chang’s speed and defensive skill made him difficult to finish off, while Edberg looked to use his serve-and-volley game to take control at the net. Their contrasting styles helped turn the semifinal into a long, tense contest.
Longest Women’s Grand Slam Match
The longest women’s singles match at a Grand Slam is generally listed as Francesca Schiavone’s 4-hour, 44-minute win over Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2011 Australian Open. Schiavone won 6–4, 1–6, 16–14 in the fourth round. The third set ran to 30 games, with both players having to keep their focus deep into the match.
That marathon is a reminder that match length is not only about the number of sets. A close final set, long games and repeated chances to break serve can add hours, even when a match finishes in straight sets or three sets.
Why Isner–Mahut Is Unlikely to Be Repeated
The 2010 Wimbledon record was possible because the tournament did not use a final-set tiebreak in men’s singles at the time. Once Isner and Mahut reached 6–6 in the fifth, they had to keep playing until one player led by two games. Neither could gain that margin for hours.
All four Grand Slams now use a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set. The first player to reach 10 points with a lead of at least two wins the match. That rule prevents another 70–68 set, although long matches can still happen through extended sets and lengthy games.
For players, a marathon brings practical challenges beyond tired legs: staying hydrated, managing cramps, keeping concentration and recovering for the next round. For fans, the records are part of tennis lore, but the best long matches are memorable for more than their clocks. They also show how players adapt when their usual tactics stop working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest match in Grand Slam history?
John Isner’s first-round match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 is the longest, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days.
What was the score in the longest Grand Slam match?
Isner beat Mahut 6–4, 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 70–68. The fifth set lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes.
What is the longest Grand Slam women’s singles match?
Francesca Schiavone’s 2011 Australian Open win over Svetlana Kuznetsova is commonly listed at 4 hours and 44 minutes. Schiavone won 16–14 in the third set.
Could a match like Isner–Mahut happen again?
The exact 70–68 final set cannot happen under the current Grand Slam rules, which require a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set. A match could still become exceptionally long through close sets and extended games.
Final Thoughts
Grand Slam match-length records reflect different kinds of endurance. Isner and Mahut’s Wimbledon duel stands alone for its scale, while Santoro–Clément, Nadal–Djokovic and Edberg–Chang each became marathons through their own mix of tactics and pressure. The final-set tiebreak has made another 70–68 finish impossible, but the record matches remain vivid examples of how demanding five-set tennis can be.
