(Even the Score-Board got exhausted)
The first-round Wimbledon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut lasted
for 11 hours. It has been recorded as the longest match in tennis history.
It lasted for 11 hours, 5 minutes spread over 3 days since it was suspended
because of darkness for two nights in a row. The longest match ever before
was in 2004 French Open which lasted for 6 hours 33 minutes.
The score on the last day started with 59-all and continued for an hour till
Isner hit a backhand to win the last of the match’s 980 points and won the
fifth set, 70-68. The match saw 112 aces by Isner and 103 by Mahut. Isner on
Wednesday managed to be one time from victory for four times but Mahut saved
each time. But in the final game, Mahut netted a drop shot on consecutive
points and lost the game.
The match had only three service breaks with the last coming on the final
point. Mahut was serving at 68-69 when Isner hit a forehand and got the
first break point chance of the day. The third service break in the fifth
set lasted for 8 hours and 11 minutes.
Isner collapsed on the court and then sprung to his feet to applaud along
with the crowd. The crowd was full of excitement when the players entered
the court on Thursday and the finish made them want to jump on cozy Court 18
and roar.
This match will surely go in history books and would be known for the two gladiators , of which the winner was - Tennis.
