Tennis fans enjoy discussing and debating which match was the greatest ever seen on court, so FTW has set some rules when compiling this list and limited it solely to grand slam finals.
The King of Clay and Grass faced off in one of the greatest five-set battles ever witnessed on tennis courts, complete with high drama, stakes, incredible spin on the ball and ball flying milimetrically across the court surface. This match had it all! High stakes, incredible spin on ball leading to its movement across court surface with incredible spin resultant in ball flying off in every direction and mimetrical play throughout its entirety.
1. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal 2008 Wimbledon Final
When discussing the best tennis matches of all time, everyone has their own opinion. A comprehensive list could range from epic five-set battles between superstars of the game all the way through to incredible exhibitions between legendary tennis players.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have faced off numerous times during their rivalry, and many of those encounters were spectacular. One of their most significant battles came at Wimbledon 2008. Many people consider this match to be among the greatest ever played – it is easy to see why!
Both players were at their peak during this fifth set match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It was a thrilling contest with each player trading winners and trick shots – with Federer saving one championship point by saving it with an incredible running backhand pass during a tie-break tie-break tie-break!
As the match approached its conclusion, the crowd became increasingly more excited. But it was the final point which really sent pulses racing – two players stood toe-to-toe on the baseline facing off in a fierce 14-shot rally with full-blooded shots being hit at each ball!
Federer immediately shook his head and grabbed onto his shirt while Nadal seemed dazed from what had just occurred.
Nadal ultimately defeated Federer in five sets, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. This match served as an excellent showcase of their legendary rivalry, with each man possessing distinct styles of play that made this four-hour marathon incredibly riveting and inspiring future matches between them both.
2. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe 1973 Wimbledon Final
Bjorn Borg was one of the greatest players ever seen playing tennis. He popularized the term “superstar,” becoming one of the most beloved figures across all sports during the 70s and 80s. Borg had crossover appeal that made him beloved both on and off the tennis court; girls desired him as a partner while boys wanted to imitate him.
He reigned supreme on red clay courts, winning six French Open titles. Additionally, he held court at Wimbledon from 1973-1980 – winning five consecutive championships during that span! No player since has come close to matching Federer’s consistency: at Roland Garros on clay, then take some time off before dominating at Wimbledon on grass! His approach was simple: dominate at Roland Garros on clay before dominating again at Wimbledon!
Jimmy Connors overtook Borg from this enviable perch only in 1981, winning one of three career grand slams with an epic five set victory against Borg at Wimbledon. That match would be unforgettable; but Borg’s next performance would ultimately determine its course and change his future success in tennis forever.
He participated in the 1980 Wimbledon final, which is often considered to be one of the greatest matches ever. This match became iconic due to a dramatic fourth set tiebreak ending 18-16 for Borg after four hours and 48 minutes – it set a men’s singles final record! McEnroe saved several match points during the fifth set but could not stop Borg from collecting his sixth straight Wimbledon title; they would meet 14 times total, with Borg winning 7 of them.
3. John McEnroe vs. Andre Agassi 1981 US Open Final
No one can claim to know all the best tennis matches ever played, but certain ones stand out amongst the rest for their skill, drama and intensity. All have had a significant effect on the sport of tennis as a whole.
One of the most thrilling matches ever seen was 2008 Wimbledon Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, an intense contest that went all the way to five sets, with exciting baseline rallies, pinpoint net play, and masterful serving all coming into play – leaving audiences on edge.
Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic produced one of the most exciting Australian Open Finals ever seen with their 2007 Final. This match had an intense, big fight feel to it; both players were at their very best at this momentous battle of wills; filled with exciting baseline rallies, heart-stopping close games and drastic momentum shifts; culminating with an extremely intense final set that featured multiple break point opportunities before an unforgettable tie-break finale set.
No discussion of the greatest tennis matches ever would be complete without including Bjorn Borg versus John McEnroe as one of the ultimate showdowns between two of tennis’ fiercest rivals – Bjorn was as cool as an ice cube, never losing his temper; McEnroe however was an emotional bundle on court – an unforgettable match widely considered one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.
Borg won the match in five sets but not before thrilling spectators with thrilling exchanges that left both competitors gasping for breath during a tie-break in which McEnroe shouted, “You cannot be serious!” at chair umpire. This famous encounter remains memorable today due to McEnroe’s angrily exclaiming: “You cannot be serious!” during that crucial fourth set tie-break moment.
4. John McEnroe vs. Billie Jean King 1990 US Open Final
John McEnroe was one of the greatest players ever and witnessed some breathtaking matches throughout his career. A master on grass, he won five consecutive Wimbledon titles before facing Rafael Nadal and being defeated in five sets in 2008. It was considered to be an historic defeat and it marked one of the biggest upsets ever witnessed in tennis history at that time.
This match was an epic battle of titans, with both players fighting hard for an edge over one another. The first set saw both players save multiple break points during an incredible tie-break before McEnroe eventually gained the upper hand and won it 6-3. In the fourth set – both players trading breaks while holding onto their nerve – McEnroe again emerged victorious to claim victory and claim victory as she won this match 6-4.
Billie Jean King proved herself an indisputable force on tour in 2016. She opened up the year by winning tournaments in Houston and Kansas City before placing second at Virginia Slims Championships behind Martina Navratilova and then going on to defeat Margaret Court at the U.S. Open as well.
She continued her success at the US Open by defeating Rosemary Casals and Martina Navratilova before outlasting Paul Haarhuis to claim victory in the final.
King was clearly superior in both speed and aggression during her match with Connors; however, her serve player proved dominant throughout the first two sets. King had an opportunity to seize control in the third, but lost her nerve and let it slip away – leading many people to refer to this match as the “Battle of the Sexes”. It has since been watched by over fifty million viewers worldwide and often referred to as such.
5. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe 1980 Wimbledon Final
While tennis may often produce somewhat underwhelming games and matches, there are occasionally those that keep viewers gripped from the start to finish – like the 1980 Wimbledon Final between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe which marked an unforgettable 14-match rivalry and this particular final marked its conclusion as it marked the end of an era for both players.
Borg entered this match having won four consecutive Wimbledon championships and at his peak of career – having collected 64 Grand Slam titles and being the first man ever to hold No. 1 status for 109 weeks (Borg became known for being an extremely dominant force within tennis and his style is still revered today).
McEnroe was quite the opposite of Borg; he was boisterous and aggressive towards officials; often getting in arguments with them over calls he considered unfair or questionable; but nonetheless highly talented with an exceptional game with speed and precision.
This match was an epic battle of two different styles of play. Lasting for over four hours and rising in quality and drama with each set played, Borg and McEnroe traded several match points each before eventually going into a fifth set that Borg eventually won 8-6.
This match serves as a prime example of why it’s worthwhile spending your free time watching tennis matches. By studying how the top players respond in certain scenarios and trying to emulate their techniques on court, watching tennis can teach us much about improving our own games as well as being far more entertaining than binging on some random Netflix series.