American John Isner and Nicolas Mahut will forever be bonded together by their singles clash at Wimbledon in 2010 which became the longest match in tennis history.
The marathon men: An unlikely bromance —
American John Isner and Nicolas Mahut will forever be bonded together by their singles clash at Wimbledon in 2010 which became the longest match in tennis history.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty/file
Their "marathon match" lasted 11 hours and five minutes and stretched over three days. Both men went through the mill physically and emotionally as the demands of an eight-hour deciding set took their toll.
An emotional journey —
Their "marathon match" lasted 11 hours and five minutes and stretched over three days. Both men went through the mill physically and emotionally as the demands of an eight-hour deciding set took their toll.
AFP/Getty Images/file
The game that started as a low key first round encounter at 6:13pm on Tuesday 22 June finally finished at 4:48pm on Thursday 24 June, by which time the two protagonists were heroes the world over. Isner finally won 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68.
Game, set and match —
The game that started as a low key first round encounter at 6:13pm on Tuesday 22 June finally finished at 4:48pm on Thursday 24 June, by which time the two protagonists were heroes the world over. Isner finally won 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68.
AFP/Getty Images
Isner and Mahut embraced at the end of the game and nearly three years on from the match the pair are still close friends. Isner says of Mahut: "He's one of the nicest, classiest guys on the tour."
An unlikely bromance —
Isner and Mahut embraced at the end of the game and nearly three years on from the match the pair are still close friends. Isner says of Mahut: "He's one of the nicest, classiest guys on the tour."
AFP/Getty Images/file
The final set went on so long that it broke the scoreboard. Twice. It first became locked at its maximum 47-47, before it locked again at 50-50 and was reset. Spectators were asked to add 50 games onto the score.
Scores on the doors —
The final set went on so long that it broke the scoreboard. Twice. It first became locked at its maximum 47-47, before it locked again at 50-50 and was reset. Spectators were asked to add 50 games onto the score.
AFP/Getty Images/file
Mahut was heartbroken in defeat and suffered another defeat when the pair were drawn to face each other the following year. The 2011 clash ended 7-6 6-2 7-6, took a full nine hours less and featured 149 fewer games.
'An absolute warrior' —
Mahut was heartbroken in defeat and suffered another defeat when the pair were drawn to face each other the following year. The 2011 clash ended 7-6 6-2 7-6, took a full nine hours less and featured 149 fewer games.
AFP/Getty Images/file
There is a plaque outside Court 18 at Wimbledon to mark Isner and Mahut's slice of history.
A slice of history —
There is a plaque outside Court 18 at Wimbledon to mark Isner and Mahut's slice of history.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images/file
Isner's main weapon is his powerful serve helped by his towering height of 6ft 9ins, aptly demonstrated here by CNN Open Court host Pat Cash. To date he has won five singles titles on the ATP Tour but he's hoping success in some of the major tournaments will eclipse the "marathon match" that he's best known for.
A tall story —
Isner's main weapon is his powerful serve helped by his towering height of 6ft 9ins, aptly demonstrated here by CNN Open Court host Pat Cash. To date he has won five singles titles on the ATP Tour but he's hoping success in some of the major tournaments will eclipse the "marathon match" that he's best known for.
CNN
Isner is now the top ranked American player in the world and has become an important part of the country's David Cup team. He recently recorded victory over 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer when the USA took on Switzerland.
Team America —
Isner is now the top ranked American player in the world and has become an important part of the country's David Cup team. He recently recorded victory over 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer when the USA took on Switzerland.
AFP/Getty Images/file
Isner made his first grand slam quarterfinal at the U.S. Open in 2011 and relishes the big stage: "I think that's one of the main reasons why I beat Federer, I beat Djokovic and I almost beat Rafa at the French Open of all places. That's why you play this game -- to get a crack at those guys. Try to take it to them."
Serb and volley —
Isner made his first grand slam quarterfinal at the U.S. Open in 2011 and relishes the big stage: "I think that's one of the main reasons why I beat Federer, I beat Djokovic and I almost beat Rafa at the French Open of all places. That's why you play this game -- to get a crack at those guys. Try to take it to them."
Harry How/Getty Images/file