Best tennis matches of all-time | Top 5 matches

The game of tennis has experienced some of the best moments in history as we roll down the years. Whether it is the great Rod Laver or Roger Federer, they have produced some of the greatest moments in the game that have been cherished for a lifelong. 

Steffi Graff’s dominance on the court to Rafael Nadal’s bold look, there has been no shortage of drama in the game as we take a look at some of the greatest matches in the history of the game.

Goran Ivanisevic v Pat Rafter - 2001 Wimbledon Final

Going into the final, Goran knew history was not on his side as he had lost three Wimbledon finals in the past and was only in the tournament through a wildcard entry. He defeated former and future world No. 1 players Carlos Moyá, Andy Roddick, and Marat Safin and in the semi-finals beat home favorite Tim Henman in a five-set, rain-affected semifinal, setting up a match with the previous year's runner-up and former US Open champion Patrick Rafter. It was Ivanišević's first singles final since 1998. In a match lasting just over three hours, Ivanišević defeated Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7.

Monica Seles v Steffi Graf - 1995 US Open Final

Remembered for the return of Monica Seles, the US Open final is regarded as one of the best in the history of the sport as she played against Steffi Graf. The first set was close, on a game-winning point Seles hit an ace that would have helped take the first set, but then a delayed call by the line judge ruled it out. Graf went on to win the first set. In the second set, Monica Seles played one of the greatest sets in tennis history. She wiped the floor with Graf, taking her tennis to the next level and winning 6-0 in only 26 minutes. Amazingly, in the third set, Graf played the best tennis of her life, raising the game even more so. She won the final set 6-3.

Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer - 2019 Wimbledon Final

Played on the same day on which England recorded it’s greatest Cricketing moment by winning the ODI World Cup, both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were writing a script of their own. For every Roger fan around the world, if they were going to see their idol lift a trophy one more time, this was it. Just a few weeks shy of his 38th birthday, Federer was proving why he’s one of the best in the business. His game was an art form that took him all the way to the final to play Djokovic. 

He played some incredible tennis and he eventually set up two match points, but Novak saved them both and went on to win the match after almost 5 hours in a 5th set tie-break. The rules of Wimbledon had recently changed and at 12 all in the final set, it went to a tie-break, where Djokovic prevailed having saved Championship points. 

Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer – 2011 Australia Open semifinal

The 2011 Australian Open final was one of the best matches in the open era where Djokovic’s career took a big spin. Having beaten Federer in the 2010 US Open semifinals, Djokovic needed to bring his ‘A-Game’ into the picture and he did so. Trailing 2-5 in the second set, the Serb produced some of the best tennis of his career and won the next five games and thereby pocketing the set. Before the match, Djokovic had only one Grand Slam title and the 7-6, 7-5, 6-4 win would see Djokovic make the final and win the whole thing. He would then end the year with three Grand Slams, only missing out on the French Open.

Roger Federer V Rafael Nadal - 2008 Wimbledon Final

Federer had won the previous five Wimbledon titles in a row, beating Nadal in 2006 and 2007. Between them, they had won 14 of the previous 16 Grand Slam titles. This, however, was to be the greatest tennis match of all time.

Nadal was the King of Clay, and Federer was the King of Grass, so everyone thought Federer had one hand on the title already. Despite Nadal being the underdog he won the first two sets 6-4 6-4. The next two sets were among the highest-quality tennis that was ever played in the history of the sport. In the fourth set, Nadal was up 5-2 at one point and even had championship points, but Federer held on and went on to win the fourth set.

The fifth set was equally epic; with both players taking the lead, and coming close to winning only for it to go on and on. Eventually, Nadal got the break to win 9-7. Nadal’s fighting spirit got him through it. Amazingly he saved 12 of the 13 break points he faced.