The biggest serving record in Grand Slam tennis came from a match so long that the scoreboard stopped working. John Isner hit 113 aces against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010—the most by one player in a Grand Slam singles match. Mahut struck 103 of his own, making their first-round contest an extraordinary record for both men and the match as a whole.
The Grand Slam record: John Isner’s 113 aces
Isner and Mahut met on Wimbledon’s No. 18 Court in a first-round match that began on June 22, 2010, and finished on June 24. Isner won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7), 7–6(3), 70–68. The fifth set alone lasted longer than many entire matches.
| Statistic | John Isner | Nicolas Mahut |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 113 | 103 |
| Games won in the fifth set | 70 | 68 |
| Match result | Isner won in five sets | |
The match lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days and included 216 games. Its final set was 138 games long. Isner’s 113 aces remain the benchmark for an individual player in a Grand Slam singles match; Mahut’s 103 are the second-highest total in that same match.
An ace is a legal serve that the receiver cannot touch with their racket. The statistic is a count of aces by an individual, not the total for both players. By that combined measure, Isner and Mahut produced 216 aces—another striking number from a match full of them.
Why the match produced so many aces
Both players had the tools to make serving a major weapon. Isner is exceptionally tall and capable of generating steep angles and high pace. Mahut, though less imposing physically, was also a skilled server and volleyer. On Wimbledon’s grass, the ball tends to skid through after the bounce, giving a receiver less time to set up than on a slower surface.
The match’s length made the conditions especially important. In the final set, neither player could earn a two-game lead until Isner finally broke through at 70–68. With no final-set tiebreak in place at Wimbledon in 2010, the players kept serving game after game. Each held serve repeatedly, and each additional service game created more chances to add to the ace count.
The numbers were remarkable, but the match was not simply a parade of untouched serves. Both players had to keep their concentration and manage fatigue over a punishing stretch. Isner, in particular, had little time to recover before his next match and lost in the second round.
Other huge ace totals at the Slams
Isner and Mahut sit well clear of ordinary match totals, but other marathon contests show how a long, serve-heavy match can produce an enormous number of aces. At Wimbledon in 2018, Isner faced Kevin Anderson in a six-hour, 36-minute semifinal. Anderson won 7–6(6), 6–7(5), 6–7(9), 6–4, 26–24. Isner hit 53 aces and Anderson hit 49.
| Match | Length or final-set score | Aces by the players |
|---|---|---|
| Isner vs Mahut, Wimbledon 2010 | 70–68 in the fifth | Isner 113; Mahut 103 |
| Isner vs Anderson, Wimbledon 2018 | 26–24 in the fifth | Isner 53; Anderson 49 |
The contrast is revealing. The 2018 semifinal was a marathon, but Wimbledon’s rules had changed after the Isner–Mahut match: a final-set tiebreak would eventually prevent another 70–68 finish. Since 2022, all four Grand Slams have used a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set. That rule makes another match of comparable length much less likely, though it cannot prevent a player from setting a high ace total in a shorter match.
Could the 113-ace record be broken?
It is possible, but the conditions would need to line up. A player would need a powerful, reliable serve, an opponent who is also hard to break, and a match that lasts long enough to provide the opportunities. Grass and quick courts can help, as can a close contest in which both players protect their serve.
The modern final-set tiebreak makes the exact circumstances of 2010 harder to repeat. Isner and Mahut’s fifth set continued until someone led by two games. Under today’s Grand Slam rule, a set tied at 6–6 reaches a 10-point tiebreak, limiting the number of extra games. A player could still approach the record by serving an unusually high number of aces early and often, but the most famous route to a huge total—an almost endless deciding set—is no longer available.
It is also worth separating a match ace record from a tournament total. A player can serve many aces across several rounds without coming close to Isner’s single-match mark. The 113 figure is about one match, by one player, in Grand Slam singles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has hit the most aces in a Grand Slam match?
John Isner holds the men’s singles record with 113 aces against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. Mahut hit 103 in the same match.
What was the final score of Isner and Mahut’s match?
Isner won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7), 7–6(3), 70–68. The match lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes across three days.
How many aces were hit in total?
The two players combined for 216 aces: 113 from Isner and 103 from Mahut.
Could another Grand Slam match last as long?
It is much less likely under current rules. Since 2022, all four majors have used a 10-point tiebreak at 6–6 in the deciding set, replacing the extended advantage set that allowed Isner and Mahut to reach 70–68.
Final Thoughts
Isner’s 113 aces are still the number to beat in Grand Slam singles. The record belongs to an unusual match as much as to an exceptional server: two strong serve-and-volley players, Wimbledon grass, and a final set that had no tiebreak to bring it to a close. The rules have since changed, but the match remains a vivid example of how a big serve—and an extraordinarily long day—can reshape tennis history.
