Tennis has produced countless iconic matches, from five-set Grand Slam finals to marathon battles that pushed the sport’s limits. Fans and players alike continue to debate which match stands out as the most memorable. For Gael Monfils, former World No. 6, one match stands above the rest and it was between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Speaking on Gilles Simon’s YouTube channel, Monfils was asked to name the most memorable match in tennis history. The 38-year-old pointed to the 2012 Australian Open final between Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, a match that lasted nearly six hours and is widely regarded as one of the greatest battles in the sport.
“The final between Novak [Djokovic] and Rafa [Nadal] where they played more than five hours,” Monfils said. “It’s not just the level for me, it was a crazy final, long and exceptional level. They pushed the limits of tennis again in terms of physicality and level.”
Djokovic edged Nadal in a five-set thriller, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5, in a grueling contest that remains the longest Grand Slam final in history. The Serbian lifted the trophy after five hours and 53 minutes, capping off a match that tested both players’ endurance and mental resilience.
Simon, however, had a different choice. He pointed to Rafael Nadal’s victory over Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, highlighting its significance in tennis history. “The reason I think Nadal in 2008 [winning Wimbledon against Federer] is memorable is because Rafa had been number two for two or three years, couldn’t get to number one, won on clay but couldn’t win anywhere else,” Simon explained.
see also
She was World No. 4, beat Martina Hingis, and struggled with depression: ‘It was hard to enjoy it’
Monfils’ strong start to 2025
Monfils, who recently also reflected on the GOAT debate, has enjoyed a resurgent start to the 2025 season, already adding another ATP title to his name. The Frenchman won the ASB Classic in Auckland, defeating Zizou Bergs in the final while dropping just one set throughout the tournament. With the victory, Monfils became the oldest champion in ATP history, surpassing Roger Federer’s record set at the 2019 Basel Open.
His strong form continued at the Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round, knocking out No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz along the way. With momentum on his side, Monfils will extend his remarkable career, which he admitted recently was almost going to end if not for his wife Elina Svitolina.
