Top 5 Longest Rallies in Men’s Singles Tennis History

Every now and then, tennis delivers moments so intense, they are impossible to forget. Among the most unforgettable are the long rallies—those back-and-forth battles that seem to defy belief. These gripping exchanges are a true test of a player's focus, stamina, and mental strength, especially when the pressure is on.

When two evenly matched opponents face off, the chances of seeing these extended rallies go up. While they're not an everyday sight, when they do happen, they put the players’ athleticism and determination on full display.

Looking back at some of the longest and most hard-fought rallies in tennis history is more than just nostalgia—it’s a celebration of what makes the sport so captivating. 

Here are a few matches that gave us those epic, drawn-out points that fans still talk about.

2025 Canadian Open – Alexander Zverev vs Adam Walton

Alexander Zverev got off to a winning start at the Canadian Open, defeating unseeded Australian Adam Walton 7-6(4), 6-4 in their first-ever meeting. The 2017 champion had to dig deep in the opening set, surviving a marathon 52-shot rally that helped him earn a crucial set point. Despite a shaky start, Zverev took control and closed out the match in an hour and 42 minutes.

Walton had his chances, leading 5-3 in the first-set tiebreak, but let the opportunity slip away. With the win, the 28-year-old German—seeded at the top—moves into the third round, where he'll face Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. One more victory will bring Zverev to a career milestone: 500 ATP match wins.

2013 US Open – Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal

The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest in modern tennis, and their clash in the 2013 US Open final was another thrilling chapter. Under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the two legends battled fiercely, treating fans to a high-quality, hard-fought contest.

In the end, it was Nadal who came out on top, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 after three hours and 30 minutes of intense play. The victory earned the Spaniard his second US Open title. It was also their third meeting in a final at Flushing Meadows—Nadal had won in 2010, while Djokovic took the crown in 2011.

Nadal handled Djokovic’s trademark defensive style brilliantly for most of the match. However, he did lose a memorable 54-shot rally—the longest of the match—during a crucial moment in the second set. With Nadal trailing 2-3 and facing break point at 30-40, a backhand into the net handed Djokovic a 4-2 lead.

2023 Australian Open – Jason Kubler vs Karen Khachanov

One of the most memorable moments from the 2023 Australian Open came during a second-round clash between Jason Kubler and Karen Khachanov, when the two engaged in a marathon 70-shot rally — one of the longest ever recorded in professional tennis. The epic exchange unfolded on Khachanov’s serve at 5-4, 30-40 in the second set, with Kubler ultimately winning the point after his backhand clipped the netcord and dropped just over.

Despite losing that incredible rally, Khachanov went on to win the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 after nearly three hours on court. The 70-shot rally now ranks among the longest in tennis history, even surpassing Khachanov’s previous 55-shot rally with Casper Ruud at the 2022 US Open. For Kubler, the Australian wildcard, it was a tough defeat on home soil — made more bittersweet by that unforgettable rally.

2013 Australian Open – Giles Simon vs Gael Monfils

In the third round of the 2013 Australian Open, Frenchmen Gilles Simon and Gaël Monfils faced off in a marathon match that lasted an epic four hours and 43 minutes. Simon eventually edged out his compatriot in a five-set thriller: 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6 — their second meeting at a Grand Slam.

One of the standout moments came in the second set when the two engaged in a jaw-dropping 71-shot rally — the longest in Australian Open history at the time. The crowd erupted when Monfils finally sent a backhand wide, giving Simon the point and sealing a memorable highlight in an already unforgettable match.

1978 French Open – Bjorn Borg vs Guillermo Vilas

In the 1978 French Open final, Björn Borg faced off against defending champion Guillermo Vilas. Borg had already dominated their rivalry, leading 12–4 in head-to-head matchups going into the final. He continued that dominance in stunning fashion, defeating Vilas 6–1, 6–1, 6–3 to claim his third Roland Garros title.

One of the most memorable moments of the match came during an extraordinary 86-shot rally — the longest ever recorded in men’s singles tennis. The epic exchange happened on Borg’s serve and finally ended when Vilas sent a lob just long. Remarkably, that rally still holds the record nearly five decades later.

Cover Credits - Tennis.com