The final score and the PHENOMENAL players
Isner's reaction after winning the final point
And so the longest match in tennis history concludes! It's been 3 days of incredible stamina, records being shattered and an awestruck tennising world! The match lasted a total of 11 hours and 5 minutes spread over 3 days. Both days that match was called off due to poor lighting. Isner, finally won the match. But, I don't think this match can have any true winner. Both of them played with incredible endurance and serve and I wish both were able to advance to the next round. But, one must win and he must move on... This was only their first round match. How Isner is going to fare for the rest of the championship we will have to wait and see.
Online commentry had some fun comments. I am going to list a few:
- Before day 3 of play began: Here's one for you, if Isner and Mahut play out another eight games in this set, they would have played enough games to have won the Championship. FACT."
- John Inverdale reports that the atmosphere is a little strange courtside because no one wants anyone to lose. Fair enough. Neither do I. A draw then?
- From Danny in Grimsby, via text: "Watching at work on my iPhone. 58% battery left. Fearing the worst!"
- From anon via text: "Is this for real? Or some Truman Show stunt? I really don't want to see either lose, all that effort for nothing! On the plus side, at least he won't have to play again!"
- Nicolas Mahut and John Isner's names are read out, but neither of them look like they have the energy to collect these momentos. Mahut looks devastated, and I'm not sure he needed to be lugging two massive present off court either.
At the end of the match:
Full details have arrived on those gifts given to marathon men John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. After 11 hours 5 minutes on court, they had to carry off a 10" Tipperary Crystal Bowl (to be engraved) and six Waterford Crystal Wimbledon champagne flutes. Swedish umpire Mohamed Lahyani received a bowl, a tie and some cufflinks. "I travel Economy," said Lahyani. "Seven hours sitting still on court is nothing. It has been quite amazing to be involved with such an extraordinary match. I can't imagine seeing another one like it in my lifetime. I didn't get a chance to feel tired, I was gripped by the amazing match and my concentration stayed good - I owed that to the players, their stamina was breath-taking and their behaviour exceptional. When you are so focussed and every point feels like a match point you just don't even think about eating or needing the bathroom."
Nicolas Mahut: "At this moment I'm just really thankful. It was amazing today. John deserved to win. He served unbelievable, he's a champion. It was really an honour to play the greatest match ever at the greatest place for tennis. It was very long but I think we both enjoyed it."
John Isner: "This crowd was fantastic. What more can you say? The guy's an absolute warrior. It stinks someone had to lose. To share this with him was an absolute honour. Maybe we'll meet again somewhere down the road and it won't be 70-68."
Other comments by Isner:
Isner on being involved in a record-breaking match: "Yeah, it's great. It's something Nic and I will share forever really. I don't think I ever said five words to him prior to the match - not that he's a bad guy, it's just the way it is. Now when I see him at other tournaments, we'll always share that."
Isner on whether Wimbledon should have a fifth-set tie-break: "I don't think so. This won't happen again, not even close. I think just keep it the same."
John Isner on what he was thinking last night: "Honestly, I really thought it was a dream. I didn't think it was possible. I went back, I didn't sleep great, probably about four hours. I talked to Nic [Mahut] and he said he slept about three. We're both running on fumes right now."
I wish I had been able to watch this match. But, I had to settle for following it online...which I guess was better than just hearing about the score in the news later. :)
