Top 10 Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time

From Epic Rallies to Historic Comebacks

Tennis has produced some of the most thrilling, emotionally charged, and unforgettable moments in the history of sports. From Grand Slam finals to underdog victories, the greatest matches are those that combine intensity, endurance, artistry, and sheer willpower.

Here are the Top 10 Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time, ranked for their drama, legacy, and the skill on display.

🎾 1. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal – Wimbledon Final, 2008

• Score: Nadal def. Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5), 6–7(8), 9–7
• Why it’s great: Widely regarded as the greatest match in tennis history, this final had everything: rain delays, momentum swings, five sets of world-class tennis, and two legends at their peak. Nadal dethroned the five-time defending champion after nearly five hours of play and just before nightfall.

🎾 2. Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal – Australian Open Final, 2012

• Score: Djokovic def. Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5
• Why it’s great: The longest Grand Slam final in history (5 hours and 53 minutes) was a physical and mental battle of epic proportions. Both players pushed the boundaries of human endurance, and Djokovic emerged victorious in a night that defined their rivalry.

🎾 3. John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut – Wimbledon 2010 First Round

• Score: Isner def. Mahut 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7), 7–6(3), 70–68
• Why it’s great: The longest tennis match ever (11 hours, 5 minutes over 3 days), this first-round marathon became the stuff of legend. Though not a final, it’s remembered for its sheer absurdity and the players’ mental resilience.

🎾 4. Björn Borg vs. John McEnroe – Wimbledon Final, 1980

• Score: Borg def. McEnroe 1–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–7(16), 8–6
• Why it’s great: This match featured the legendary 18–16 fourth-set tiebreak, where McEnroe saved five championship points. Borg eventually triumphed in one of the most iconic rivalries of all time.

🎾 5. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic – Wimbledon Final, 2019

• Score: Djokovic def. Federer 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3)
• Why it’s great: The longest Wimbledon final ever and the first to feature a final set tiebreak at 12–12. Federer had two championship points but Djokovic’s mental strength won out in a match full of tension and history.

🎾 6. Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams – Australian Open Final, 2017

• Score: Serena def. Venus 6–4, 6–4
• Why it’s great: This emotional battle between sisters was Serena’s 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf. The moment was historic, heartfelt, and a testament to two trailblazing athletes.

🎾 7. Andre Agassi vs. Pete Sampras – US Open Quarterfinal, 2001

• Score: Sampras def. Agassi 6–7(7), 7–6(2), 7–6(2), 7–6(5)
• Why it’s great: No breaks of serve in the entire match. Four tiebreak sets. This was vintage serve-and-volley vs. baseline brilliance, played under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium — a pure exhibition of elite-level tennis.

🎾 8. Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles – French Open Final, 1992

• Score: Seles def. Graf 6–2, 3–6, 10–8
• Why it’s great: Two dominant forces clashed in a three-set thriller. This match displayed power, grit, and the intensity of one of the greatest rivalries in women’s tennis.

🎾 9. Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic – US Open Final, 2012

• Score: Murray def. Djokovic 7–6(10), 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2
• Why it’s great: Murray won his first Grand Slam after four previous final defeats, becoming the first British man in 76 years to win a major. The five-set battle took nearly five hours and was a display of resilience and tactical brilliance.

🎾 10. Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert – Wimbledon Final, 1985

• Score: Navratilova def. Evert 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
• Why it’s great: The culmination of one of the most legendary rivalries in sports. This match showed contrasting styles — Navratilova’s aggressive net play versus Evert’s consistency. It was the perfect finale to a golden era of women’s tennis.

🧠 Honorable Mentions

• Simona Halep vs. Serena Williams – Wimbledon Final, 2019 (Flawless performance by Halep)
• Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev – US Open Final, 2019 (An incredible comeback by Medvedev nearly stunned Nadal)
• Ash Barty vs. Karolína Plíšková – Wimbledon Final, 2021 (A feel-good story and historic win for Australia)
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic – Wimbledon Final, 2023 (A symbolic passing of the torch)

🏁 Final Thoughts

Great tennis matches are more than just statistics and scorelines — they are unforgettable sagas filled with passion, rivalry, athletic genius, and emotional highs and lows. The matches listed above have defined careers, changed perceptions, and kept millions glued to their screens.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, these matches are essential viewing — a reminder of why tennis remains one of the most thrilling sports on Earth.