LCourt 18 of the All England Club witnessed 14 years ago the longest match in tennis history. This past Monday was the anniversary of the first round match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, which It ended 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68 in favor of the American. This is because at that time, if the tennis players reached the fifth set They had to win by a difference of two gamesa rule that would be modified little by little as a result of this match.
After 11 hours and 5 minutes of play, of which 8 hours and 11 minutes belonged to the last set, the French tennis player ended up succumbing in a match that lasted three days of competition. Obviously during the match more records were broken than just the duration. The one that draws the most attention was greatest number of aces, with a total of 216. Obviously Isner lost in the next round, even needing medical treatment during the match.
The Grand Slams, forced to reinvent themselves
This strange case, added to some similar ones later on, led the Grand Slams to have to change their regulations in order to take care of the players. In 2019, Wimbledon set the limit at 13 games, having to play a super tie break at 10 points in case they reach that point even.
Each Grand Slam established its own particular regulations, until in 2022 the four agreed to establish a 10-point super tie break. when the players reach a tie at 6 games in the fifth set.
In such a tight calendar and in tournaments where tennis players often have to play two days in a row, the idea of continuing with the old regulations was a utopia. Even so, in our memory remains that match that It already has an immovable place in the history books of this sport
