What Was the Best Australian Open Match Ever?

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 12 July 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Best Australian Open Match Ever

• How to Pinpoint the Best Australian Open Match Ever
• The Longest Australian Open Match Ever (And The Best)
• Sampras’ Emotional Comeback
• Capriati’s Incredible Comeback in Heat
• Nadal Defeats Federer in Tearful Final
• Seles Beats Graf in Iconic ‘93 Final
• Agassi’s Contrasting Styles vs Sampras

If you’re curious about the best Australian Open match, this blog aims to put the question to rest once and for all! We’ll be looking at legendary Australian Open contests, showing you what we think the best matches are – and why! Let’s get started.

How to Pinpoint the Best Australian Open Match Ever

The Australian Open has been the stage for some of the most exciting and unforgettable tennis matches in history. From epic five-set battles to emotional comebacks and shocking upsets, the tournament has provided fans with countless memorable moments.

But what makes a match truly stand out as the greatest of all time? Is it the level of play, the drama, a rivalry, or a bit of everything? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most iconic matches in Australian Open history and try to determine what sets them apart as the best of the best.

For those wanting to bet on the Australian Open tennis, understanding what makes a match truly great can also help you make better, smatter bets, too!

The Longest Australian Open Match Ever (And the Best)

The best Australian Open match ever also happens to be the longest Australian Open match ever! In 2012, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal battled it out for an incredible 5 hours and 53 minutes, pushing both players to their absolute limits! Djokovic ultimately won the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5, but both players put on an incredible display, in a match that will be remembered for decades to come.

What made this match so special was not just the fact it was the longest Australian Open match of all time, but the quality of tennis on display. Djokovic and Nadal were at the peak of their games – and almost every rally played was long and technical. Djokovic’s backhand was particularly impressive, as he consistently found angles and depth that left Nadal scrambling. Nadal, meanwhile, showcased his trademark fighting spirit, refusing to give up even when he was down a break in the fifth set.

The match also contained some dramatic twists and turns. Nadal took the first set and seemed to be in control, but Djokovic pushed back to win the next two sets and take a strong lead. Nadal then fought back to win the fourth set in a tiebreak, sending the match to a deciding fifth set.

In the final set, Djokovic broke early and served for the match at 5-3, but Nadal broke back and seemed to have the momentum. However, Djokovic broke Nadal’s serve again to win the match and claim his third Australian Open title!

After the match, both players were absolutely exhausted, collapsing on their chairs during the trophy ceremony. Djokovic later said that he had “never felt so drained in his life,” while Nadal called it “the toughest loss of his career.”

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Sampras’ Emotional Comeback

The 1995 Australian Open quarterfinal between Pete Sampras and Jim Courier is another contender for the greatest Australian Open match ever – not just for the high-quality tennis on display, but also for the emotional moment that would, later, go on to define the match for fans worldwide!

Sampras, who was dealing with the news that his coach and close friend Tim Gullikson had been diagnosed with brain cancer, broke down in tears during the match, but managed to compose himself and come back from two sets down to win 6-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

The match began with both players playing at an exceptionally high level, with Courier taking the first two sets in tiebreaks. Sampras was visibly struggling with his emotions throughout the match, but managed to keep his composure and focus on his game, winning the next two sets.

However, in the first game of the fifth set, Sampras suddenly broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably on the court. Courier, in a remarkable display of sportsmanship, offered to postpone the match until the next day, but Sampras insisted on playing on.

Despite his emotional state, Sampras managed to regain his focus and win the next two points with aces. He went on to win the game and the set, closing out the match with a stunning comeback. The crowd at Melbourne Park erupted – and it became known as one of the greatest tennis matches ever played, not just at the Australian Open – but in the sport’s history!

Capriati’s Incredible Comeback in Heat

The 2002 Australian Open final between Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis is the third match we’re covering today – and it’s widely regarded as one of the most dramatic comebacks in tennis history.

Capriati, who had already won the Australian Open the previous year, found herself down a set and facing four match points in the second set. However, in a stunning display of determination, she fought back to win the match 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, capturing her second consecutive Australian Open title.

The match was played in insanely hot conditions, with temperatures on the court reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Both players struggled with the heat, with Hingis taking a medical timeout in the second set due to heat exhaustion.

Hingis took the first set 6-4 and seemed to be in control of the match. She had four match points in the second set, but Capriati saved them all with some clutch play, including a stunning backhand winner on the first match point. Capriati went on to win the second set in a tiebreak, sending the match to a decisive third set.

In the final set, Capriati’s momentum was unstoppable. She broke Hingis’ serve early and never looked back, winning the set 6-2 to capture the title.

While it was a fantastic match to watch, it did raise questions about when officials should intervene and call a game off due to the weather.

Nadal Defeats Federer in Tearful Final

The 2009 Australian Open final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is another of the greatest Australian Open matches ever – but this one is also remembered for being one of the most heartfelt games, too.

Nadal beat Federer in five sets, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2, to win his first Australian Open and achieve the Career Grand Slam. But it’s the match’s ending that really makes it stand out.

After the game had finished, Federer started crying during the trophy presentation. He had hoped to match Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles but came up short in a devastating loss. Overwhelmed by emotion, Federer had to pause and step away from the microphone, saying, “God, it’s killing me.”

In a touching display of sportsmanship and understanding, Nadal went over to Federer, put his arm around him, and offered comforting words. The crowd at Rod Laver Arena stood up and applauded, moved by the genuine respect and friendship between two great players.

In terms of the match itself – well, as you can imagine with both of these two players, it was world-class. Nadal won the first set, but Federer came back to take the second. The third set was a close fight, ending with Nadal winning in a tiebreaker.

Federer took the fourth set, pushing the match to a final fifth set, where Nadal ultimately prevailed, breaking Federer’s service twice to secure the win.

Seles Beats Graf in Iconic ‘93 Final

The penultimate match we’re looking at today took place at the 1993 Australian Open final. It was between Monica Seles and Steffi Graf and is widely remembered as one of the most significant matches in tennis history.

Seles beat Graf 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win her third consecutive Australian Open title and her eighth Grand Slam overall. But the match was far more than just a battle for the trophy – it was a key moment in the rivalry between two of the greatest female players of all time.

At the time, Seles was the dominant seed in women’s tennis, having won six of the previous seven Grand Slam titles. Graf, who had been the world number one for a record 186 consecutive weeks, was struggling to keep up with Seles’ power and consistency. The 1993 Australian Open final was seen as a chance for Graf to prove that she was still the best player in the world.

Once the game began, Graf took the first set, but Seles fought back to win the second and third sets, showcasing her iconic never-say-die attitude.

Just a few months later, Seles was stabbed by a deranged Graf fan during a match in Germany, an incident that would keep her off the courts for over two years and change the course of her career. She was never able to get back to the level of greatness she displayed in 1993.

For Graf, on the other hand, it was a bitter loss to swallow – but, in her own words, it also served as a wake-up call, inspiring her to get ‘back to top form.’ She would go on to win the next three Grand Slam titles and reclaim her position at the top of the rankings, cementing her place as one of the greatest players of all time.

Agassi’s Contrasting Styles vs Sampras

Wrapping up our blog today, we turn to the unforgettable 2000 Australian Open semifinal between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. This match has become renowned for its remarkable display of tennis between two legendary figures, each known for their unique styles and personas.

Agassi, with his solid baseline play, went head-to-head with Sampras, known for his calm manner and world-class serve-and-volley game. Here’s a quick overview of the match, including some key details:

The reason this is often regarded as the best Australian Open match ever, is because it featured two world-class players, with totally different approaches, going head-to-head. It was also an incredible comeback. After dropping the second and third sets, Agassi made a strong comeback, securing the fourth in a nail-biting tiebreak. This momentum carried him through to dominate the final set.

Spectators at the match were treated to an incredible performance, which was the equivalent of Nadal taking on Djokovic today, with two of the world’s best players battling it out!