Wimbledon 2010: Longest Match Ever! John Isner And Nicolas Mahut Set World Record!

[Thursday, June 24, 2010 | ]

Wimbledon fans: witnesses to the longest match ever!

June 23, 2010 - Wimbledon, United Kingdom - epa02218604 John Isner (R) of the USA and Nicolas Mahut (C) of France talk with an official (L) during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 June 2010. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut made tennis history at the Wimbledon Championships as they set a new record for the longest Grand Slam singles match ever.

Article by: Rumer Certeza
Photos: Zumapress

If you thought last year's Wimbledon thriller between Roddick and Federer took ages, you've got another thing coming.

Fans at Wimbledon never thought they would never leave their seats, being witnesses to a new record for the longest tennis match ever played. And the thing is, the game isn't over!

In a classic showdown between American John Isner and Frenchman Nicholas Mahut which seemed like forever, both players refused to give in, with the score halted at a hair-raising mind boggling 59-59. And the match lasting 10 grueling hours.

June 23, 2010 - Wimbledon, United Kingdom - epa02218605 Nicolas Mahut of France reacts during his first round match against John Isner of the USA for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 June 2010. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut made tennis history at the Wimbledon Championships as they set a new record for the longest Grand Slam singles match ever.

It came to a point that it was getting dark prompting Mahut to get officials attention that he could no longer see the ball. The match was then suspended besides a roaring objection from the crowd and would resume again on Thursday. And it's anybody's guess that it could be another marathon. Or is that an understatement? whew!

June 23, 2010 - United Kingdom - Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England - 23/6/10..France's Nicolas Mahut (L) is passed a racket by a ball boy. ..Play was suspended at 59-59 after ten hours of play setting a new record as Wimbledon's record longest match between John Isler of USA and Nicolas Mahut (Not Pictured) of France.

Photo: France's Nicolas Mahut (L) is passed a racket by a ball boy. ..

This also drew extreme adoration and mixed emotions from other competitors with regards to the two titans who fought it out to the core, and wouldn't back down.

Top seeded Roger Federer says, "I love this! I Know they're maybe not loving this, but I guess this is unheard of in our game. I mean normally there are breaks in tennis matches." It became too much for the Swiss that he didn't know if he was crying or laughing! I think the game's gotten to your head pal.

And Roddick, who also knows how it feels like to play the mile, at one point, was dying to use the bathroom.

In fact, The American tweeted, "Seriously, doesn't anyone have to pee? Umpires included.."

Legendary tennis sensation John McEnroe, covering the BBC broadcast after the 111th game, says that he was proud to be a tennis player. He added "It looks like Isner is about to fall over."

Isner and Mahut should be feeling the painful after-effects, but need to recondition themselves fast for another roller coaster ride. Skip the booze, fellas!

Not for the faint of heart. You guys are already champs in my book. Good luck!