I'd just like to draw some attention to the '09 Wimbledon Men's Final. Check the score on the last set. That match was like the penultimate combat scene from a Wushu film coreographed by Yuen Wo Ping. I've never seen two men play cleaner, more inspired tennis than Roger Federer and Andy Roddick did in that last set, pushing each other beyond all limits of shot-making and razor sharp skill. I'll never forget watching that one.
MB - 12 years ago
Well, I have watched tons of grand slam tennis matches since 1985, so for a different kind of way of judging, ones that stand out to me for sheer drama, for I DONT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING THIS SPORT IS AMAZING drama, are Pete Sampras vs. Alex Correjta US Open 1996 QF (Pete vomits on court, then wins), and of course the infamous Jimmy Connors vs. Aaron Krickstein match 1991 4th round US Open
Adam - 12 years ago
One match that I think needs mention (if not exactly measuring up to the big names of the greats mentioned here in the finals of slams) is Roddick def. El Aynoaui in the 2003 Australian Open QFs. For the sheer amount of unbelievable shotmaking done consistently by both players over the span of 5 sets (including an extended 5th set that ended with the astonishing score of 21-19), this match is certainly worth at least a nod.
Pete Harrison - 12 years ago
2011 US Open Semi Final between Fed and Djokovic. Fed is up two points and 40-15, serving, and loses. Gotta be a greatest match/comeback ever of any Sport.
tennispro - 12 years ago
if 2 athletes competing at a similar remarkably high level that results in an unusually long & close match; is defined as 'epic', then certainly Mahut Vs Isner was one. We must consider that many many more people look at finals than earlier matches; there is the natural expectation that the quality of the match if not epic is much higher than earlier rounds. If the definition includes: final in a grand slam, length of match-endurance, beauty of play, total no. of fans gunning for both players, stoppages, injuries etc. then i think Roger Vs. Rafa Wimbledon 08 will be considered the greatest match ever.
a.k. - 12 years ago
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Tom - 12 years ago
Fed defeats Roddick in the 2009 Wimby final. with both guys serving lights-out, and the last marathon set. In my mind, it's one of my favorite matches for shear edge-of-seat drama.
plus, there was an American involved, always a plus.
But my guy still won.
adam - 12 years ago
For purely the best match Isner v Mahut may enter the conversation... but because no title was at stake hard to make that claim. I still (barely) remember the feeling of watching that borg v mcCenroe match and maybe it is nostalgia but that still takes it for me. I got the same feeling for nadal v federer but it was like de ja vu, so i have to go with the 1980 match.
reckoner - 12 years ago
@Gbbmiler
there was no title trophy at stake w/ isner v mahut... i dont even think there was a round of 16 showing at stake....
Gbbmiler - 12 years ago
You have go at least consider Isner-Mahut in any list of this sort. I'm not sure personally that it deserves the top spot, but if the sheer length of Djokovic's Australian finals win is a part of its lore, then that match definitely earned a spot on the list. The wells of human fortitude may never have been tapped so far in a tennis match as they were on Court 18 at Wimbledon over the course of those three days.
I'd just like to draw some attention to the '09 Wimbledon Men's Final. Check the score on the last set. That match was like the penultimate combat scene from a Wushu film coreographed by Yuen Wo Ping. I've never seen two men play cleaner, more inspired tennis than Roger Federer and Andy Roddick did in that last set, pushing each other beyond all limits of shot-making and razor sharp skill. I'll never forget watching that one.
Well, I have watched tons of grand slam tennis matches since 1985, so for a different kind of way of judging, ones that stand out to me for sheer drama, for I DONT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING THIS SPORT IS AMAZING drama, are Pete Sampras vs. Alex Correjta US Open 1996 QF (Pete vomits on court, then wins), and of course the infamous Jimmy Connors vs. Aaron Krickstein match 1991 4th round US Open
One match that I think needs mention (if not exactly measuring up to the big names of the greats mentioned here in the finals of slams) is Roddick def. El Aynoaui in the 2003 Australian Open QFs. For the sheer amount of unbelievable shotmaking done consistently by both players over the span of 5 sets (including an extended 5th set that ended with the astonishing score of 21-19), this match is certainly worth at least a nod.
2011 US Open Semi Final between Fed and Djokovic. Fed is up two points and 40-15, serving, and loses. Gotta be a greatest match/comeback ever of any Sport.
if 2 athletes competing at a similar remarkably high level that results in an unusually long & close match; is defined as 'epic', then certainly Mahut Vs Isner was one. We must consider that many many more people look at finals than earlier matches; there is the natural expectation that the quality of the match if not epic is much higher than earlier rounds. If the definition includes: final in a grand slam, length of match-endurance, beauty of play, total no. of fans gunning for both players, stoppages, injuries etc. then i think Roger Vs. Rafa Wimbledon 08 will be considered the greatest match ever.
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Fed defeats Roddick in the 2009 Wimby final. with both guys serving lights-out, and the last marathon set. In my mind, it's one of my favorite matches for shear edge-of-seat drama.
plus, there was an American involved, always a plus.
But my guy still won.
For purely the best match Isner v Mahut may enter the conversation... but because no title was at stake hard to make that claim. I still (barely) remember the feeling of watching that borg v mcCenroe match and maybe it is nostalgia but that still takes it for me. I got the same feeling for nadal v federer but it was like de ja vu, so i have to go with the 1980 match.
@Gbbmiler
there was no title trophy at stake w/ isner v mahut... i dont even think there was a round of 16 showing at stake....
You have go at least consider Isner-Mahut in any list of this sort. I'm not sure personally that it deserves the top spot, but if the sheer length of Djokovic's Australian finals win is a part of its lore, then that match definitely earned a spot on the list. The wells of human fortitude may never have been tapped so far in a tennis match as they were on Court 18 at Wimbledon over the course of those three days.