What is the longest tennis match in Australian Open history?

What is the longest tennis match in Australian Open history?

Japan’s Kei Nishikori made a triumphant yet grueling return to the Australian Open, overcoming Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in a five-set thriller that lasted four hours and six minutes. But does this match rank among the longest in the tournament’s history? Not even close.

Sportstar revisits the five longest matches in Australian Open history, exploring how they unfolded at Melbourne Park.

When two players appear as though their legs will give way and are on the verge of collapsing, it’s clear they’ve had a long day at the office. This was the case after the 2012 Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, which lasted five hours and 53 minutes. Both players were visibly struggling to stand during the trophy ceremony and were eventually provided with chairs to sit on.

To this day, the match, which saw the Serbian clinch his third title at Melbourne Park, remains the longest Grand Slam final of all time. The encounter ended 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in favour of Djokovic.

“I’m playing against one of the best players ever – a player who is mentally so strong. He was going for everything or nothing,” the Serb had said after the match against the Spaniard.

“… I truly understand that it was a special match, and probably one that will stay in my mind not because I lost, but because of the way we played,” Nadal, who would go on to win his second AO title in 2022, had remarked.

Just eight minutes short of equalling the record set by the summit clash between Djokovic and Nadal in 2012, Andy Murray played the longest match of his career to demonstrate his class.

Spanning five hours and 45 minutes, Murray made a remarkable comeback in a match that appeared to be firmly in the grasp of local player Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Briton secured his place in the next round by defeating the Australian 4-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.

“I have a big heart,” Murray said in the post-match interview, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

“Thanks to everyone for staying – it’s ridiculously late. You didn’t have to do that, but it really helps me and Thanasi in a situation like that. Everyone, including me, should probably head to bed now,” a smiling Murray remarked after the match had concluded past 4 am local time.

It took Nadal five hours and 24 minutes to stage a remarkable comeback and clinch his second Australian Open title, which ultimately turned out to be his last in Melbourne.

After defeating Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, the Spaniard had nothing but praise for the crowd. “You are just amazing. Thank you so much for the love and support.”

On the other hand, the Russian acknowledged his opponent’s superior fitness. “I feel like I was playing well, but Rafa stepped up. The only issue was that, physically, I was a little bit up and down, and yes, he was stronger than me physically today.”

The match between Ivo Karlovic and and Horacio Zeballos was nothing short of a marathon. Running for five hours and 15 minutes, a total of 84 games

In the first round match where Karlovic hit 75 aces, the Croat went on to win 6-7 (6), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 22-20 and stage a comeback against the Argentine.

On his way to securing his first Australian Open title, Nadal endured a gruelling semifinal against compatriot Fernando Verdasco.

After being a set down, Nadal outplayed Verdasco in a match that ended 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (1), 6-4 in favour of the eventual champion. The tie lasted five hours and 14 minutes.