Prolonged Tennis Marathon Claims Title of Endurance Record Breaker
Sweating Bullets at Tennis Matches: Isner vs Mahut, an Endurance Test
By Alex Windsor, iGaming ExpertMarch 4, 2025
Tennis is a grueling sport, slugging it out on court for hours, especially during Grand Slams, where the men tackle a best-of-five set match, while women battle in a best-of-three set. The game demands incredible endurance both physically and mentally. A single match that put these traits to the test, transcending mere athleticism, took place between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.
The Unbeatable Match
While a typical three-set match lasts roughly 90 minutes, the contest between Isner and Mahut never seemed set to be memorable. However, the match held on Court 18 and was not considered prominent enough to be featured on a show court. The game began on June 18th, 2010, with four sets completed before nightfall forced a halt.
The two returned the next day, resuming their fifth set in a seemingly never-ending battle of serves. Incredibly, play continued for an additional day, making history with the third-longest match in tennis history. Finally, after 138 games, John Isner emerged victorious, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68, etching his name into the annals of Wimbledon forever.
An Epic Contest, Beyond Comparison
While the defiant duel between Isner and Mahut undeniably holds the record for the longest tennis match ever recorded, other monumental encounters stand out as well. The longest match in women's singles history, lasting around 6 hours and 31 minutes, was fought between Jean Harper and Vicki Nelson in the first round of the Central Fidelity Banks International event back in 1984.
In doubles, the longest match took place at the 2013 Davis Cup between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, lasting a staggering 7 hours and 2 minutes. Meanwhile, Isner himself appears in the top 10 list of the longest tennis matches multiple times, including another grueling match against Kevin Anderson in the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals, lasting six hours and 36 minutes.
A Legacy of Endurance
Isner's legendary encounter with Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 stands alone as the longest match in history and will forever remain a testament to the incredible physical and mental fortitude required to overcome adversity in the world of tennis. Tennis betting enthusiasts can now cherish and appreciate such extraordinary matches, adding intrigue and excitement to their wagering experience.
- Tennis betting strategies often involve careful analysis of matches, given the extreme physical and mental endurance required, as showcased by John Isner's unprecedented 11-hour match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.
- The record-breaking match between Isner and Mahut is not the only instance of a tennis marathon; in fact, the longest women's singles match lasted around 6 hours and 31 minutes between Jehanne Duopoly and Vicki Nelson in 1984.
- Interestingly, the longest tennis match in doubles history took place between Switzerland and the Czech Republic at the 2013 Davis Cup, lasting a staggering 7 hours and 2 minutes.
- For sports-analysis enthusiasts, the 138-game match between Isner and Mahut, which completed on June 22nd, 2010, encapsulates the unbelievable endurance that participant tennis players can demonstrate in the face of immense adversity.
