What are the Best Tennis Matches of All Time?

We know how exciting tennis can be. But do you know what the best tennis matches of all time look like?

We have carefully listed the top 15 tennis matches of all the major competitions of the year.

The 15 Best Tennis Matches Ever

Don’t take this best tennis match of all time ranking too seriously either, as your opinion of the game may differ from ours.

Here is the list of best tennis matches of all time:

15. Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer (2019)

The 2019 Wimbledon final is the last to join this list. Considered one of the best matches in tennis, many are backing Roger Federer.

Unfortunately, Novak Djokovic can stop them and win the match even if he plays well.

Moreover, the match lasted more than 5 hours, under the old rules Djokovic and Federer played much longer. When the final set was tied at 12, Wimbledon changed the format to a fifth-set tiebreaker.

However, Djokovic went into the tiebreak with a solid performance, winning 7-3.

14. Stan Wawrinka vs Novak Djokovic

The match between Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2015 French Open is sometimes overlooked, but it was perhaps one of the most unexpected defeats in tennis history.

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In this match, Stan Wawrinka defeated Roger Federer in the quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic in the final in four sets. He beat the No. 1 and No. 2 best men’s tennis players in the world.

It’s the best and least expected thing at a tennis tournament.

Although Djokovic took the lead in the first set, Wawrinka came back to win the next two legs. He won the next three sets without a tiebreak.

13. Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer struggled to win a Grand Slam ahead of the 2017 Australian Open, and although his last win was in 2012, many have speculated that his championship era is over.

As a result, many believe that Rafael Nadal should take him on and build on his status as a young player after reaching the final.

To everyone’s surprise, things didn’t go as planned as Federer quickly took the lead and won the first set. In other words, Federer played the best set of his career in the third set after Nadal equalised.

The 35-year-old thus became Grand Slam champion for the fifth time after winning his fifth title.

12. Novak Djokovic against Roger Federer (2014)

Djokovic was one of the most dominant players until 2011. However, he slowed down and stopped winning majors.

In 2014, however, he turned things around and started a great match by beating Roger Federer in the final in five sets.

There were two tiebreaks throughout the match, with the first set being the best set in the history of Grand Slam tennis.

The players understood the importance of a fast start and Federer won 9-7 in the tiebreak, where Djokovic went on to win all the other deciding matches, eventually breaking serve in the fourth and fifth sets.

11. Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic

This is perhaps the most telling evidence of Rafael Nadal’s dominance on clay. It is one of the best tennis matches of all time. Nadal at his peak against Novak Djokovic.

Many expected Rafael Nadal to beat Djokovic quickly in the fourth set after taking a two-set lead in the third.

In this match, both players hit amazing shots with amazing play. It’s fantastic to see these two talented players go head to head with equal support from both sides.

In the fifth set, however, Nadal finally managed a break. As a result, he returned triumphant and won the French Open title for the second time.

10. Roger Federer against Andy Roddick

The two players here are regarded as one of the best tennis matches of all time and are roughly the same age. Not to mention that both are at the pinnacle of success.

In this match, Roddick seems to have beaten Federer for the first time. The tiebreak decided two of the five sets, while the final set lasted 30 games.

Despite Roddick’s excellent serve, Federer enjoyed a well-deserved break. In the end, in the end, Roger Federer won the match 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14.

9. Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal

As we all know, this is the longest Grand Slam final in sporting history. The 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was a long and difficult match.

Spectators could see that both players struggled to keep their composure throughout the match.

Although the pair played well late in the fifth set, Nadal’s closeness to victory was perhaps the most annoying thing about it.

He took an early lead in the fifth set, breaking Djokovic’s serve and leading 4-2. Djokovic took it to the next level in the fifth set as he fought back and eventually traded serves to his death, winning 7-5.

8. Pete Sampras v Andre Agassi

Voted one of the best tennis matches of all time, the 2001 US Open between legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi was actually great for both of them.

They also played four sets in the fourth round, all of which went to a tiebreak. Sampras won three with his incredible serve, which enabled him to win the match.

But two of America’s best tennis players faced each other on New York’s biggest stage. It was their last remarkable encounter.

7. Rafael Nadal vs Fernando Verdasco

The match between the two friends Nadal and Verdasco is tricky because they know each other’s winning strategies.

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Many predicted that Fernando Verdasco would lose to Nadal in straight sets in this match. Verdasco, however, is determined to prove otherwise.

Although the match went to five sets, Nadal managed to win. It was not an easy victory, as Verdasco put him to the ultimate test of the tournament, which is still remembered today.

6. John Isner v Nicholas Mahut

Match No. 6 between Isner and Mahut in the first round of Wimbledon 2010 will go down as one of the longest tennis matches.

Speaking of the match, both players shared the first two sets, so it was relatively quiet at first.

Although her return was poor, her serve and return skills were excellent. As a result, the match turned into a multi-day match. In the end, Isner won the fifth set 70:68.

5.  Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer

Perhaps it was because the match was between two rivals, or the quality of play, but it was a battle in the 2008 Wimbledon final.

The match began with Nadal taking an early 2-0 lead, but Federer turned it around in the third and fourth sets, winning consecutive tiebreaks and creating an epic fifth set. Chaos ensues when two players fight for the upper hand.

The match had to be temporarily interrupted at 5:4 due to rain delays. It became harder to watch, but Nadal finally broke through and won in the twilight.

Above all, it was a great moment in Nadal’s career as he proved he was more than a clay court expert by ousting Federer and ending his monopoly on the sport.

4. Roger Federer vs Pete Sampras

The match between two of the most talented players of all time is regarded as one of the best matches in tennis. In this match, Federer is only 19 and a vastly underrated player compared to Sampras.

To be clear: Sampras had a winning streak of 31 matches at Wimbledon. That makes him the greatest grass court player of all time.

Two of those sets ended in a tiebreak; however, after finding a serve that broke Sampras, Federer was able to win 7-5.

3.  Ivan Lendl against John McEnroe

In the final of the 1984 French Open, McEnroe was chosen as the man most likely to win a Grand Slam title. He also easily won the first two sets.

But to everyone’s surprise, Lendl gained more and more momentum after winning the third set.

In the fourth set, some of McEnroe’s escapades turned in Lendl’s favour. Lendl then rode the wind and the waves to victory.

2.  John McEnroe vs Bjorn Borg (1981)

The 1981 Wimbledon final between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg is one of the greatest tennis matches of all time and many people’s favourite tennis match.

Many doubt that McEnroe can crack Borg’s game in this match. However, the first of McEnroe’s three victories on grass was the most memorable moment.

McEnroe won each of these sets, although two of them went to a tie-break. He therefore won four sets and ultimately won the match.

1.  Björn Borg v John McEnroe (1980) – Best Tennis Match Ever

It is the best tennis match ever  it is filled with the most memorable moments and the best match between the two players.

Borg got off to a slow start and lost the first set 6:1, but the series that followed became tighter.

John McEnroe against Bjorn Borg in the 1980 Wimbledon final (Source: Youtube)

Swedish legend Björn Borg ended the fifth set 18-16.

Final Thoughts

There have been several iconic tennis matches over the years. In our best tennis matches of all time list we have selected that the best tennis match ever happened in 1980 against Björn Borg and John McEnroe. 

F.A.Q

What is the best tennis match ever❓

The best tennis match ever is widely regarded as the 1980 Wimbledon final between Björn Borg and John McEnroe.

What are the best tennis matches of all time❓

Some of the best tennis matches of all time include the 1980 Wimbledon final between Björn Borg and John McEnroe, the 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

What are the top tennis matches ever played❓

Top tennis matches include the 1980 Wimbledon final between Björn Borg and John McEnroe, the 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Who won the longest tennis match in history❓

John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut in an epic Wimbledon match in 2010, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days. Isner won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68.

Has there ever been a perfect tennis match❓

No, there has never been a perfect tennis match where a player wins every single point without losing any.

Rules for Doubles Tennis

Whether you’re new to tennis or have been playing for a while, doubles can add excitement and challenge to the game. Doubles tennis has two players on each side of the court, making it fast-paced and strategic.

In this post, we’ll go over the rules for doubles tennis and some tips to help you play better.

How to Play Double Tennis?

The rules for doubles tennis are mostly like singles tennis, but there are a few important differences to know on how to play double tennis.

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Tennis Doubles Scoring

  1. The scoring system in doubles tennis follows the same format as singles tennis.
  1. Points are awarded as follows: 15, 30, 40, with the final point needed to win the game referred to as “game point.”
  2. If both teams reach 40-40, it’s called deuce. From deuce, a team must win two consecutive points to win the game.
  1. The first team to win six games with a lead of at least two games wins the set.
  1. If the set is tied at 6-6, a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set.

Tennis Doubles Serving Rules

  1. In tennis doubles serving rules, each player serves alternately, starting with one team serving for the first game, and the opposing team serving for the second game.
  1. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball into the diagonal service box of the opponent’s court.
  1. The serve must land within the service box and not touch the net.
  1. If the server’s team wins the point, they continue to serve. If the opposing team wins the point, they gain the serve.

Court Dimensions

  1. The dimensions of the tennis court for doubles are the same as those for singles, except for the width.
  1. The court is 36 feet wide instead of 27 feet, to accommodate two players on each side.
  1. The length of the court remains 78 feet.
  1. The net is 3 feet tall at the center and extends to the sidelines, dividing the court into two equal halves.

Additional Tennis Doubles Rules in Tennis

Expanding upon the fundamental tennis doubles rules outlined earlier, the following provides supplementary rules and guidelines essential for understanding and playing tennis doubles effectively.

Service Order

  • The serving order is determined at the start of the match and alternates between teams after each game.
  • Players on a team usually take turns serving for one game before the service switches to their partner.
  • The serving team can decide which player serves first in the initial game, but the subsequent order follows the established rotation.

Service Faults

  • A fault occurs if the server fails to execute a proper serve, such as missing the service box or foot faulting (stepping over the baseline before contact).
  • Two consecutive faults result in a double fault, and the point is awarded to the opposing team.

Let Serves

  • If the server’s ball touches the net and lands in the correct service box, it’s called a let serve.
  • In such cases, the server gets another chance to serve without penalty.

Faults during Play

  • Making a shot that lands out of bounds, hitting the net with a shot, or committing a foot fault while serving leads to the loss of the point.

Court Positioning

  • Players must maintain their assigned court positions during each point, usually defending either the forehand or backhand side.
  • While players can switch positions between points, they must adhere to their designated positions during play.

Changeovers

  • Players switch ends of the court after every odd game in a set to ensure fairness regarding factors like sun and wind direction.

Time Between Points

  • Players are allotted a specific time between points to prepare and serve, and exceeding this limit may result in warnings or penalties.

Code of Conduct

  • Tennis has a code of conduct that players must follow, including rules against unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal abuse, and racquet abuse.
  • Violations of the code of conduct can result in warnings, point penalties, or even disqualification from the match.

Improving Your Doubles Tennis Game through Positioning

In doubles tennis, where you stand on the court is very important. It helps you anticipate your opponents’ moves, cover more ground, and play to your strengths as a team. 

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Here are some basic positioning rules to help you win more matches:

  1. Stay in Your Area: Stick to your side of the court—either forehand or backhand—to avoid confusion and cover the court effectively. When your partner serves, stand near the service line ready to move forward if needed.
  1. Watch Your Opponents: Pay attention to where your opponents are positioned. If they’re both at the net, play defensively. If one is back at the baseline, take advantage of the net.
  1. Communicate with Your Partner: Keep talking to your partner and coordinate your movements. This ensures you both cover the court well and can adapt to each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
  1. Work as a Team: Doubles positioning is all about teamwork. By following these rules and communicating effectively, you’ll improve your chances of winning matches and taking your game to the next level. With practice, you and your partner can become a strong doubles team and enjoy success on the court.

Tips for Better Doubles Tennis Performance

Now that we’ve covered the doubles tennis rules look at some simple tips to improve your game:

  • Improve Your Net Game: Work on hitting volleys and half-volleys effectively and feel confident moving to the net. Practice your net skills and footwork to become more comfortable in this area.
  • Cover the Court Well: Move quickly and efficiently to reach the ball and anticipate your opponents’ shots. Coordinate with your partner to decide who covers which areas of the court and adjust your strategy based on your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Serve Smartly: Vary your serves to keep your opponents guessing and aim for the corners of the service box. Target the weaker player on the opposing team to apply pressure and increase your chances of success.

Conclusion Playing Doubles Tennis

Playing doubles tennis is both fun and challenging, but it’s important to know the rules for doubles tennis  and strategies. 

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can get better and succeed on the court.

F.A.Q

What are the basic double tennis rules❓

Doubles tennis involves two teams of two players each, with players on each team taking turns serving and covering specific areas of the court.

How do players rotate serving in doubles tennis❓

Players serve alternately within a team, with one player serving for an entire game before the serve switches to their partner.

Are there specific court positions players must adhere to in doubles tennis❓

Yes, players typically cover either the forehand or backhand side of the court, ensuring comprehensive court coverage and strategic positioning.

What happens if the serving team wins a point in doubles tennis❓

If the serving team wins a point, they continue to serve; if the opposing team wins the point, they gain the serve.

Is communication important in doubles tennis❓

Absolutely! Effective communication between partners is crucial for coordinating shots, movements, and strategies during a match.

What happens if both teams reach a score of 40-40 in a game❓

When the score is tied at 40-40, it’s called “deuce,” and a team must win two consecutive points to secure the game.