The Australian Open has always played by its own clock. Night sessions at Melbourne Park regularly spill into the early hours, driven by unforgiving hard
courts, bruising rallies, and players unwilling to yield. More than any other Grand Slam, matches in Melbourne often become endurance tests, where managing the body between points matters as much as shot selection.
Over time, that mix of surface, scheduling, and atmosphere has produced contests that outlast expectations. These matches came to define the tournament itself, highlighting mental resilience and physical survival as much as technical brilliance. Here's a look at the three longest matches in Australian Open history, and why each one still stands apart.
Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka -Fourth Round 2013| 5 hours 2 Minutes
Start time - 7:30 PM | End Time - 1:37 AM
The final unfolded as a relentless exchange from the baseline, with neither player giving an inch over nearly six hours of play. Momentum swung repeatedly as long rallies and tight service games kept the match on a knife-edge deep into the fifth set.
As the night wore on, both players were visibly drained but refused to relent, relying on sheer resolve to stay in the points. Movement slowed, but focus never dipped, turning the match into a test of mental survival as much as physical endurance.
Despite finishing well after midnight, Rod Laver Arena remained almost full, with the crowd fully aware they were witnessing a historic moment.
Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev - Final 2022| 5 hours 24 Minutes
Start Time - 7:30 PM | End Time - 12:45 AM
The match began with Medvedev in control, before Nadal slowly dragged his way back into contention as the contest stretched late into the night. Each set felt increasingly tense, with the outcome in doubt until the very end.
Fatigue became a defining factor in the closing stages, with both players leaning heavily on experience and composure rather than power. Nadal's ability to stay mentally strong under pressure ultimately made the difference in the longest final of his career.
The crowd played its part, growing louder with every twist and staying invested until the final point despite the late finish.
Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka -Fourth Round| 5 hours 2 Minutes
Start Time - 8:00 PM | End Time - 1:00 AM
What was expected to be a routine early-round match quickly turned into a gripping, back-and-forth battle that refused to end. The two traded momentum deep into a fifth set that stretched the contest well past midnight.
As exhaustion set in, rallies became a test of will, with neither player willing to blink. The final set, which ended 12-10, was decided as much by stamina and belief as by shot-making.
Even in the early hours of the morning, the crowd stayed engaged, responding warmly to the effort and drama unfolding on court.
Why These Matches Still Matter
These matches reflect the Australian Open at its most demanding - late nights, physical limits tested, and players stretched beyond comfort. In Melbourne, victory is often decided not by moments of brilliance alone, but by who can last when the hours begin to weigh.
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