Tennis history features grueling five-set wars and instant classics that redefine the sport. These encounters highlight endurance, strategy, and unforgettable turning points that fans still debate decades later. Vote for your favorites to rank them.
What counts: Best means most iconic for drama, competitiveness, and lasting impact on the sport. Figures are approximate.
2008 Wimbledon Final▲ Rising
Federer and Nadal battled through rain delays and fading light in the longest final ever. Nadal's fifth-set break in near-darkness ended Federer's five-year reign and produced the most replayed point in tennis history.
Year: 2008Duration: 477 minScore: 6-4 3-6 7-6 2-6 6-2Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 9.8/10
added by IJR
1980 Wimbledon Final▲ Rising
Borg and McEnroe traded tiebreaks in a clash of ice-cool Swede versus fiery American. The fourth-set tiebreak remains the greatest single set in Open Era history.
Year: 1980Duration: 218 minScore: 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 8-6Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 9.5/10
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2009 Australian Open Final
Nadal outlasted Federer in a five-hour final that completed his career Grand Slam. The match turned on Nadal's ability to win the longest points when both were exhausted.
Year: 2009Duration: 307 minScore: 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2Tournament: Australian OpenExcitement: 9.4/10
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2012 Australian Open Final▲ Rising
Djokovic and Nadal played the longest Grand Slam final ever in a test of mental and physical limits. Djokovic's fourth-set comeback after two hours of baseline warfare sealed his legacy.
Year: 2012Duration: 348 minScore: 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5Tournament: Australian OpenExcitement: 9.7/10
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1999 French Open Semi▲ Rising
Agassi survived a two-sets-to-love deficit against Medvedev on clay. The comeback remains the greatest in French Open history.
Year: 1999Duration: 198 minScore: 1-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 9.2/10
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2019 Wimbledon Final
Djokovic saved two match points against Federer in a record fifth-set tiebreak. The 12-12 scoreline forced new rules and crowned the most clutch performance of the decade.
Year: 2019Duration: 297 minScore: 7-6 1-6 7-6 6-6 13-12Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 9.6/10
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2010 Wimbledon Final▲ Rising
Nadal beat Berdych to claim his second Wimbledon title. The match showed Nadal's improved grass-court game.
Year: 2010Duration: 187 minScore: 6-3 6-4 6-4Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.3/10
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2004 French Open Semi
Nadal announced himself by beating Federer on clay in straight sets. The match proved Nadal's clay-court dominance would last a generation.
Year: 2004Duration: 142 minScore: 6-3 6-3 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 8.9/10
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2008 US Open Final
Federer and Murray played a four-set final that confirmed Federer's dominance. The match featured some of Federer's best returning ever.
Year: 2008Duration: 172 minScore: 6-2 7-5 6-2Tournament: US OpenExcitement: 8.4/10
added by IJR
1981 Wimbledon Final
McEnroe finally beat Borg after three prior finals losses. The match ended Borg's Wimbledon reign and shifted the era.
Year: 1981Duration: 211 minScore: 4-6 6-1 6-3 6-3Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.8/10
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2017 Australian Open Final▲ Rising
Federer beat Nadal in five sets after a five-year title drought. The fifth-set comeback at age 35 became the defining late-career moment of his career.
Year: 2017Duration: 222 minScore: 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3Tournament: Australian OpenExcitement: 9.3/10
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2005 Wimbledon Final
Federer dismantled Roddick with serve and volley mastery. The straight-sets win showcased Federer's grass-court peak.
Year: 2005Duration: 134 minScore: 6-2 7-6 6-4Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.7/10
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2018 Wimbledon Final▲ Rising
Djokovic beat Anderson in straight sets after a long rain delay. The match completed Djokovic's return to the top.
Year: 2018Duration: 148 minScore: 6-2 6-2 7-6Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.1/10
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2016 French Open Final
Djokovic finally won Roland Garros against Murray. The straight-sets win completed his career Grand Slam.
Year: 2016Duration: 184 minScore: 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 8.5/10
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2013 US Open Final
Djokovic and Nadal traded punishing rallies in a match that decided year-end number one. The fifth-set tiebreak became an instant classic.
Year: 2013Duration: 248 minScore: 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-7 7-5Tournament: US OpenExcitement: 9.1/10
added by IJR
1992 Wimbledon Final
Agassi upset Becker in straight sets on grass. The win announced Agassi as a true all-surface champion.
Year: 1992Duration: 155 minScore: 6-4 6-3 6-2Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.6/10
added by IJR
2011 French Open Final
Nadal beat Federer in four sets for his sixth French title. The match confirmed Nadal's clay supremacy.
Year: 2011Duration: 162 minScore: 7-5 6-3 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 8/10
added by IJR
2015 US Open Final▼ Falling
Djokovic completed the career Grand Slam by beating Federer. The match combined tactical brilliance with emotional weight.
Year: 2015Duration: 209 minScore: 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4Tournament: US OpenExcitement: 8.9/10
added by IJR
2006 Australian Open Final
Federer defeated Baghdatis in four sets. The match featured Federer's trademark variety and Baghdatis's emotional run.
Year: 2006Duration: 194 minScore: 5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2Tournament: Australian OpenExcitement: 8.2/10
added by IJR
2001 French Open Final
Kuerten defended his title with a straight-sets win over Safin. The Brazilian's clay-court artistry peaked in this final.
Year: 2001Duration: 168 minScore: 6-4 6-3 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 8.5/10
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2014 Wimbledon Final
Djokovic and Federer played a high-quality final decided by one break. The match highlighted both players' precision under pressure.
Year: 2014Duration: 236 minScore: 6-7 6-4 7-6 5-7 6-4Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 9/10
added by IJR
1995 French Open Final▼ Falling
Muster beat Chang in four sets for his only major. The match showcased Muster's unmatched clay-court fitness.
Year: 1995Duration: 176 minScore: 7-5 6-2 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 7.9/10
added by IJR
1990 Wimbledon Final
Becker beat Edberg in four sets for his third Wimbledon title. The match highlighted Becker's powerful serve.
Year: 1990Duration: 165 minScore: 6-2 6-2 6-4Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8/10
added by IJR
2003 Wimbledon Final▼ Falling
Federer won his first Wimbledon against Philippoussis. The straight-sets victory launched the Federer era.
Year: 2003Duration: 131 minScore: 7-6 6-2 7-6Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 8.3/10
added by IJR
2007 Wimbledon Final
Federer beat Nadal in five sets for his fifth straight title. The match featured the longest final set in Wimbledon history at the time.
Year: 2007Duration: 225 minScore: 7-6 4-6 7-6 2-6 6-2Tournament: WimbledonExcitement: 9/10
added by IJR
2019 French Open Final
Nadal beat Thiem in four sets for his 12th French title. The match confirmed Nadal's unmatched clay record.
Year: 2019Duration: 173 minScore: 6-3 5-7 6-3 6-4Tournament: French OpenExcitement: 8.4/10
added by IJR
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The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
2008 Wimbledon Final at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Somebody explain the 2008 Wimbledon Final votes to me. Genuinely. I want to understand.
Wild that 2008 Wimbledon Final is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.