Here we take a look at the longest tiebreakers in tennis history. In Tennis, tiebreakers are very interesting to watch. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Andy Roddick 20-18 is one of the longest tiebreakers in tennis history.
John Isner vs Jarkko Nieminen
In the second round of Wimbledon in 2014, Isner, the ninth-ranked American beat the unseeded Finn 19-17 in the first set tiebreak in a 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 win. The fact that Isner went so long in the tiebreak is not a surprise because his serve is so powerful, but he does not do well in returning the serve. Isner would lose his third round match at Wimbledon six years ago, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 to Feliciano Lopez of Spain.
Lorenzo Sonego vs Taylor Fritz
In the third round of the French Open in 2020, Sonego, the unseeded Italian, upset the 27th-ranked American Taylor Fritz 7-6, 6-3, 7-6. In the third set to close out the match, Sonego beat Fritz 19-17 in the tiebreaker.
Bjorn Borg vs Premjit Lall
Before tennis legend Bjorn Borg of Sweden won his 11 grand slam championships, he defeated Premjit Lall of India 20-18 in the third set tiebreak of a 6-3, 6-4, 9-8 first round win at Wimbledon in 1973. This was the longest tiebreaker ever in men’s singles tennis at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Borg, who was seeded sixth, would reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 1973, before losing to Roger Taylor of Great Britain 6-1, 6-8, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Borg would go on to win Wimbledon five straight years from 1976 to 1980.
Goran Ivanisevic vs Daniel Nestor
In the third set tiebreak of the first round of the 1993 United States Open, Goran Ivanisevic of Croatia, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, defeated Canadian Daniel Nestor 20-18 in a 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 win. Ivanisevic, the 11th seed, would lose in the second round, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 to Carles Costa of Spain. Nestor would go on to be one of the very best men’s doubles players of all-time. This was the longest tiebreaker in men’s singles at the U.S. Open.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Andy Roddick
In the first set tiebreak of the first round of the 2007 Australian Open, the 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France beat 2003 United States Open champion Andy Roddick of the United States 20-18 in the longest tiebreaker in men’s singles tennis in Australian Open history. However unlike Ivanisevic, Borg, Sonego and Isner, Tsonga would lose the match to Roddick, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.
