A tennis match can turn on one brave return, a change of tactics or a few points that refuse to go a player’s way. The sport’s most memorable comebacks show how quickly momentum can shift—even when the score looks almost settled.
Some historic tennis comebacks came from two sets down. Others involved saving match points, winning after a career break or finding a way through a punishing final set. Here are landmark examples, what made each one special and what players can learn from them.
Historic Tennis Comebacks That Changed the Match
| Player and event | Score | What made it a comeback |
|---|---|---|
| Andre Agassi, 1999 French Open final | Beat Andrei Medvedev 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 | Won after losing the first two sets |
| Goran Ivanišević, 2001 Wimbledon final | Beat Patrick Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7 | Won a fifth-set battle as a wildcard |
| Novak Djokovic, 2011 US Open semifinal | Beat Roger Federer 6–7, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–5 | Saved two match points in the fifth set |
| Novak Djokovic, 2021 French Open semifinal | Beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 | Overcame a two-set deficit |
| Rafael Nadal, 2022 Australian Open final | Beat Daniil Medvedev 2–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 | Won after losing the first two sets |
Andre Agassi: two sets down at Roland Garros
Andre Agassi’s 1999 French Open final against Andrei Medvedev was a career-defining escape. Medvedev took the first two sets 6–1 and 6–2, leaving Agassi with little room for error. Agassi steadied himself, won the third set and gradually made the rallies more demanding. He took the fourth, then the fifth, completing a 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 victory.
The win gave Agassi the French Open title and completed his career Grand Slam: victories at all four major tournaments. His recovery was not simply about hitting harder. He reduced unforced errors, stayed in the points and made Medvedev earn the finish. It’s a useful reminder for club players: when a match is slipping away, reliable depth and patient shot selection can give you time to find your game again.
Goran Ivanišević: the wildcard who won Wimbledon
Goran Ivanišević arrived at Wimbledon in 2001 as a wildcard, not a leading title favorite. In the final, he faced Patrick Rafter, a strong serve-and-volley player, and the match swung back and forth. Ivanišević won the first set, lost the second, took the third and then lost the fourth. In the deciding set, he broke Rafter late and served out the match for a 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7 win.
The victory made Ivanišević the first wildcard to win the Wimbledon singles title. It also showed how much a player’s strengths can matter under pressure: his left-handed serve could still produce free points, even after a long match and a difficult path to the final. A dependable weapon gives a player something to trust when the score gets tight.
Novak Djokovic: saving match points against Federer
Roger Federer was close to reaching the 2011 US Open final when he held two match points against Novak Djokovic in the fifth set. Djokovic saved them and went on to win 6–7, 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–5. He had already lost the first two sets, and the match looked to be moving toward a Federer victory.
Djokovic’s bold return on the first match point became one of the match’s defining moments. Rather than simply guiding the ball back, he went after it. That choice carried risk, but it put pressure back on Federer and changed the feel of the game. The lesson is not to swing wildly when facing match point; it is to choose a clear, committed play instead of letting fear make the decision for you.
Djokovic and Nadal: two-set recoveries at the French Open and Australian Open
Djokovic produced another major comeback in the 2021 French Open semifinal, against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas took the first two sets, but Djokovic raised his level and won the next three: 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4. He began taking control of more rallies and made Tsitsipas play under increasing pressure. The turnaround earned Djokovic a place in the final, which he went on to win.
Rafael Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open final against Daniil Medvedev followed a similar pattern. Medvedev won the first two sets, but Nadal kept extending the rallies and found ways to attack without rushing. After winning the third and fourth sets, he took the fifth 7–5 for a 2–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 victory. The five-hour, 24-minute final gave Nadal his second Australian Open title and, at the time, a record-breaking 21st men’s major singles title.
Both matches underline a practical point: the player who is behind does not need to win every point quickly. Changing the rally pattern, improving depth and making the opponent hit one more ball can gradually shift the contest.
Notable Comebacks Beyond a Single Match
Some tennis comebacks take months or years rather than five sets. Kim Clijsters retired in 2007, became a mother and returned to competition in 2009. She won that year’s US Open as a wildcard, beating Caroline Wozniacki in the final. The title made her the first mother to win a major singles championship since Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980.
Clijsters’ story is different from a player fighting back from a match-point deficit, but it belongs in any account of tennis comebacks. Her return depended on rebuilding her fitness, adjusting to life as a parent and competing against a new generation. It’s a reminder that a comeback can mean finding a way back to the sport, not just back into a match.
What Makes a Tennis Comeback Possible?
- Reset between points. A lost set cannot be changed. A short routine can help players focus on the next serve or return.
- Make a tactical adjustment. A deeper return, a safer second serve or more height over the net can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm.
- Use your strongest shot. Under pressure, a reliable serve or forehand can create a clear pattern to follow.
- Stay patient. Comebacks often grow from fewer errors and longer rallies, not from trying to hit a winner on every ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history?
There is no single answer, but Rafael Nadal’s two-sets-down win over Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final and Andre Agassi’s recovery against Andrei Medvedev in the 1999 French Open final are two of the most celebrated.
Which player saved match points to win a major match?
Novak Djokovic saved two match points against Roger Federer in the fifth set of their 2011 US Open semifinal. Djokovic won the match 7–5 in the deciding set.
Has a wildcard ever won Wimbledon?
Yes. Goran Ivanišević won the 2001 Wimbledon men’s singles title as a wildcard, beating Patrick Rafter in five sets.
What can recreational players learn from comeback matches?
Focus on the next point, make one useful tactical change and play with commitment. You do not have to win the match in one shot; consistent decisions can gradually rebuild momentum.
Final Thoughts
Historic tennis comebacks are memorable because they combine skill with the ability to respond when the match turns against a player. From Agassi’s two-set recovery to Clijsters’ return as a mother, these stories show that a deficit is not the same as a finished contest. The score may set the challenge, but the next point is still there to play.
