Roger Federer was among a host of tennis stars who expressed their amazement as Nicolas Mahut and John Isner played the longest match in the history of the sport at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Roger Federer was among a host of tennis stars who expressed their amazement as Nicolas Mahut and John Isner played the longest match in the history of the sport at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
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A string of tennis records were blown away as French qualifier Mahut and American 23rd seed Isner came off court at 59-59 in the final set, having slugged it out for exactly 10 hours when play was suspended as they ran out of daylight.
The unfinished fifth set itself was longer than the previous longest match ever played.
That match took six hours and 33 minutes. The shattered record was set at the 2004 French Open, when Fabrice Santoro beat fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 16-14.
A string of other records also tumbled as Mahut and Isner tried in vain to end the most astonishing contest ever seen in the illustrious history of the All England Club.
Defending men's singles champion Federer thought he had seen just about everything the sport had to offer in a career which has brought him a record 16 grand slam titles.
But the six-time Wimbledon champion admitted he was stunned by the epic nature of the clash.
"This is beyond anything I've ever seen. It's absolutely amazing," Federer said. "I have almost no words anymore watching this.
"I don't know how their bodies must be feeling. This is incredible tennis. Someone has to lose but in this match both will be winners.
"I love this. I know they're maybe not loving this, but I guess this is unheard of in our game.
"It's so impressive to see. When I was watching this I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was too much."
Federer believes both players were so focused on winning the first round match that they didn't have time to be distracted by its historic impact.
"When it gets important, you try to focus then you don't have that extra pressure and tension in your body. Maybe that's why these guys can do it for so long and so good," he said.
World number three Novak Djokovic said he and all other players at the All England Club were hooked on the Court 18 drama.
"Well, what can you say about that? I am very surprised. Everybody's watching it in the locker rooms, everywhere," he said.
"Of course, they are two big servers. But I'm amazed that they can both hold their serves this comfortably for the whole day. It's unbelievable. You have to give them credit, both of them. I think both of them are winners."
Men's fifth seed Andy Roddick, who had played in the previous longest fifth set in men's singles, said he had survived a few lengthy five-set matches, but nothing on this scale.
"It's so important to stay there mentally, especially on grass," he explained.
"You've got to harp on those first points of every service game, try to get that. Love-15, 15-30 - that starts becoming dicey.
"So they're doing a pretty good job of putting themselves in good position as far as serving with a lead.
"Beyond that, you always try to convince yourself it's only going to be another 10 or 15 minutes - even if you might not believe it at the time."
World number four Andy Murray, writing on his Twitter page, added: "This is why tennis is one of the toughest sports in the world, this will never ever be matched again."
Venus Williams - who won her match Wednesday in just one hour and five minutes - was stunned by the history-making match.
"I don't know what to think of that. It's amazing. Wow. It's longer than a marathon," she said.
"I don't think I'd move. I think if you moved, you lose your seat."
John McEnroe, watching from the broadcasting centre roof near the court, described the action as "unbelievable".
"How in the world are they still even moving for starters?" he said.
"And not just serves, they're coming up with shots. This is one of the few times when I feel bad for the umpire."
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