Here are the five greatest matches ever played in tennis history

2. Bjorn Borg d. John McEnroe – Wimbledon Championships 1980, Final

Final Score: 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6

22 minutes. That’s what sums up this incredible match between the game’s best players. This match contains the most famous tiebreak ever played in tennis. What shouldn’t be overlooked is the outstanding level of play throughout the entirety of the match.

I’ve discussed this match before when discussing the two players’ ‘fire and ice’ rivalry that swept the sport in the 70s and 80s. That tiebreak stands alone as the best bit of tennis that’s ever been played. McEnroe finally prevailed in that set on his 7th set point and took Borg deep into the 5th before losing 8-6. It’s a shame these two players faced each other only four times; there could’ve been matches that topped this one.

I might have a twinge of bias putting this match, and the Connors match, below the match at the #1 spot due to the time I grew up. Nevertheless, this match served as a shining example of the determination and toughness that’s needed to win. It was the pioneer of marathon matches in the ATP, but this one a shooting star compared to others, just like the rivalry of the two players: incredible when it’s there, but gone in a split second.