Wimbledon has hosted many legendary battles. Some defined careers. Others changed the sport.
This list highlights five unforgettable Wimbledon matches. Each clash left a lasting legacy on the grass courts of SW19, worth reflecting on as we head into Wimbledon 2025.
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe – 1980 Wimbledon Final
No Wimbledon list is complete without this classic. Borg and McEnroe were polar opposites—ice versus fire, calm versus chaos. Their 1980 showdown became a timeless chapter in tennis history.
McEnroe started strong, taking the first set in dominant style. Borg responded with precision and poise, winning the next two. Then came the fourth-set tiebreak—arguably the most iconic in Wimbledon history. It lasted 34 points, with McEnroe saving five match points and eventually edging it 18–16.
Despite that heartbreaking tiebreak, Borg dug deep. He served first in the fifth set and went down 15–40 early. But he then reeled off 19 consecutive service points and held his nerve to win the set and the match. It took 3 hours and 53 minutes of drama to crown the Swede as champion once again.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams – 2003 Women’s Singles Final
Sisterly rivalries don’t get much grander than this. The 2003 final was the second consecutive year that Serena and Venus Williams met in a Wimbledon final. However, this time, the match was closer—and far more dramatic.
Venus took the first set 6–4 with strong baseline play and consistent first serves. Serena, though, found her rhythm in the second, matching her sister’s power with improved precision and movement. She took the second set 6–4, shifting momentum in her favour.
In the deciding set, Serena showed why she was on her way to becoming an all-time great. She broke Venus early and never looked back, wrapping up the match 6–2. The win gave Serena her second Wimbledon title and solidified her dominance during that era of women’s tennis.
Goran Ivanišević and Pat Rafter – 2001 Wimbledon Final
The 2001 final was a pure fairytale. Goran Ivanišević entered as a wildcard, ranked 125 in the world. But his story captivated tennis fans around the globe.
He had previously reached three Wimbledon finals and lost them all. This time, the stars aligned. He beat top players like Carlos Moyá, Andy Roddick, and Marat Safin to reach the final. Then, in the semi-final, he edged out Tim Henman in a rain-affected five-setter.
The final against Pat Rafter was packed with emotion and tension. Both men traded sets, leading to a nail-biting fifth. In front of a raucous Centre Court crowd, Ivanišević finally lifted the trophy with a 9–7 win in the decider. For many, this remains the greatest underdog story in Wimbledon’s rich history—and a moment that shows why online sports betting is always full of surprises.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – 2008 Wimbledon Final
This match is widely seen as the greatest in tennis history. Federer was chasing a sixth straight Wimbledon title. Nadal was the hungry challenger, already a force on clay and now threatening on grass.
Nadal started brilliantly, taking the first two sets. Federer, however, roared back. He saved championship points in the fourth set, winning two tiebreakers to even the match. Rain delays added to the suspense, and the final set was played in near darkness.
In the end, Nadal claimed a stunning 9–7 fifth-set win. The battle lasted nearly five hours and saw both men play their absolute best. Nadal’s victory ended Federer’s reign and added a new chapter to their iconic rivalry. For fans, this was more than just a tennis match—it was an epic saga.
John Isner and Nicolas Mahut – 2010 Wimbledon First Round
First-round matches rarely make history. This one rewrote it. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut went the distance—literally and figuratively.
Over three days, the two players contested the longest match in tennis history. Isner fired 112 aces. Mahut responded with 103. The match totalled 183 games and lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes—an astonishing feat by any measure.
The final set alone ended 70–68 in favour of Isner. Neither man would go on to win Wimbledon or achieve Grand Slam greatness. But their names will forever be etched into the tournament’s legacy. This was endurance and determination at its finest.
