Over the years, the game of tennis has witnessed several classic matches which will forever remain etched in the memories of the fans. And many of these contests produced exhilarating rallies that completely took the spectators’ breath away.Here's a look at some of the longest and most memorable rallies the game has seen.
#9 Rafael Nadal vs Fernando Verdasco, 2009 Australian Open semifinal
In an all-Spanish semifinal, Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco played out a 5 hour 14 minutes marathon, showing amazing court coverage and stamina. One of the moments of the match was an intense 17-shot rally that finished with Nadal playing one of the most incredible forehand winners, from the extreme side of the court.
Nadal went on to win the match 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(2), 6–7(1), 6–4.
#8 Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic, 2014 Wimbledon final
In one of the best finals seen at the All England Club in the last few years, Roger Federer nearly pulled off a miraculous win over Novak Djokovic in a monumental five-setter at Centre Court.
With the Serb leading 4-2 in the fourth, the two played out a brilliant 22-shot rally with Federer eventually losing the point. The Swiss recovered to save a match point at 4-5 and steal the fourth set, but he eventually lost the match 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 7–6(7–4), 5–7, 6–4.
#7 Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, 2012 Australian Open final
After a one-sided final in 2011, the Rod Laver arena witnessed a classic in 2012. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal matched one another point-for-point for nearly six hours, displaying incredible stamina and court coverage. With each of them having won two sets apiece and the fifth set tied at 4-4, the pair played out a 31-shot rally that was filled with some of the best groundstrokes you will ever see.
Djokovic eventually went on to defend his crown by beating the Spaniard 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5.
#6 Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic, 2011 Australian Open final
Despite the final being one of the most one-sided ones in the history of the Australian Open, the first set was witness to an incredible 39-shot rally between Murray and Djokovic. The pair showed incredible stamina and matched one another shot-for-shot in one of the few exciting moments in an otherwise lop-sided final.
Djokovic eventually beat Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to clinch his second Australian Open title.
#5 Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic, 2012 Australian Open semifinal
Another Murray-Djokovic epic, this time in semifinal of the 2012 Australian Open.
With the Serb having won the first set 6-3 and trailing 4-3 in the second, the duo put together a breathtaking 41-shot rally. Djokovic once again won the point and also went on to win the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 7-5 to progress to the final.
#4 Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic, 2012 US Open final
Having lost to Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon in 2012, Andy Murray came into the US Open that year wanting desperately to win his first Grand Slam. He was just one step away from doing so when he met Novak Djokovic in the final on a windy day in New York.
With the Scot leading 3-2 and serving at 15-all in the first set, the two produced an amazing 54-shot rally that left everyone gasping for breath. Murray lost the point but went on to win his first major by beating Djokovic in an epic five-setter, 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.
#3 Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, 2013 US Open final
Nadal was one set up and leading 3-2 in the second set in the final of the 2013 US Open against Novak Djokovic. He was facing a break point at 30-40 though, and the Serb had a great chance of getting the set back on even terms. Djokovic did break Nadal’s serve, but not before playing out a brilliant 54-shot rally.
Nadal, however, went on to secure his second US Open title by beating Djokovic 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1.
#2 Gael Monfils vs Gilles Simon, 2013 Australian Open 3rd round
With the score tied at 4-4 in the second set of their 3rd round match at the 2013 Australian Open, Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon played one of the most epic rallies in the history of Grand Slams. In a display of unbelievable stamina, Monfils and Simon played out a 71-shot rally, a record in Australian Open history.
Simon went on to win the point and the match in five sets, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6.
#1 Bjorn Borg vs Guillermo Vilas, 1978 French Open final
This may have been one of the most one-sided finals witnessed in the history of the French Open, but it featured the longest recorded rally the game has ever seen.The duo played out an unbelievable 86-shot rally.
The point was eventually won by Borg, and the Swede also went on to win the final 6-1 6-1 6-3.
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