Lob and Smash
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Here are the five greatest matches ever played in tennis history

By Brandon Daniels

LONDON - JULY 06: Roger Federer of Switzerland congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain in winning the Championship trophy during the men's singles Final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON - JULY 06: Roger Federer of Switzerland congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain in winning the Championship trophy during the men's singles Final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) offers water to Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) after victory in their men’s singles final match on the twelfth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early January 30, 2012. Djokovic won 5-7. 6-4. 6-2. 6-7. 7-5. . IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO/GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) offers water to Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) after victory in their men’s singles final match on the twelfth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early January 30, 2012. Djokovic won 5-7. 6-4. 6-2. 6-7. 7-5. . IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE AFP PHOTO/GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal – Australian Open 2012, Final

Final score: 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 

This match defined heart and toughness. The 5-hour, 53-minute marathon was the longest Grand Slam final by more than an hour. The warriors fought tooth and nail for every point and ended up playing some of the best tennis of their careers.

Djokovic went into the match already physically spent; he already played a near 5-hour match in the semifinals and was pegged as the underdog going into the finals because of it. It’s arguably the best match of his career and has every reason for it to be.

Rallies were going 30 or more shots deep into the 5th set and the two were nearly falling over with exhaustion after every point. Nadal collapsed on the court after winning the 4th-set tiebreak, knowing he’d still have to battle another set.

The story of the match is all told with the picture above. They took chairs out onto the court for the trophy presentation, too tired to stand. It’s the most physically demanding match that’s ever been played, on par with the Isner-Mahut match epic.

Next. #2: Borg-McEnroe 1980. dark

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