There have been many greatest tennis comebacks of all time throughout the history of the sport. However, the most interesting facts about comebacks are when you expect a player to lose, that pro suddenly changes the entire game like a complete 180 degrees flip.
As we said, there are many such legendary moments in this sport. But we will only talk about the top 10 greatest tennis comebacks of all time. Because we can say these ten comebacks have something special which makes them stand above the rest.
#10. Rafael Nadal vs David Nalbandian
The current Correct World No. 3 has been up against the former World No. 3 on seven occasions. However, the encounter in the 2009 Indian Wells is the most remembered because of Rafael Nadal doing something unimaginable.
The Argentine pro took down Nadal in the first round and even dominated in the second set. Nalbandian was further at the breakpoint in the second set and with one more point, he could have won the match.
Rafael Nadal vs David Nalbandian, the Indian Wells 2009. (Source: Getty Images)
However, the Spaniard then turned the tables as he not only entered the match again and forced David to a tiebreaker, but also won the second round. Then Rafa didn’t allow Nalbandian to score a point in the third set and the Spaniard won the match with a score of 3-6, 7-6, 6-0.
In this tournament, where Nadal could have got knocked out in the fourth round against Nalbandian, he not only made one of the greatest tennis comebacks of all time but also won the ATP Masters.
#9. Fernando Verdasco vs Andy Roddick
Fernando Verdasco’s comeback against Andy Roddick in the 2005 Italian Open is one of the greatest tennis comeback of all time.
Both the professional players were pushing each other to the edge throughout the match even during the first set, forcing the set into a tiebreaker. However, the American won the tiebreaker and won the first set. In the second set, Roddick was dominating the Spaniard and was at the breakpoint, but Verdasco put a break on Roddick from winning and again forced another set to a tiebreaker.
Fernando Verdasco’s greatest tennis comeback of all time against Andy Roddick at the ATP Telecom Italia Masters 2005. (Source: Getty Images)
But Verdasco won the second tiebreaker and won the second set and made a great comeback to the match, which looked like out of his hand. In the third set, the Spaniard didn’t give Roddick any chance to take the lead and finally Fernando won the match with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
#8. Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils
Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils went up against each for 17 times and the Serbian won all those matches. However, their last face-off, which was in 2020 Dubai Open, where Nole was really close to his first defeat against Monfils.
The French pro took down the Serbian maestro with ease in the first set and was also leading the second set. However, Nole soon equalized the score and forced the match into a tiebreaker. But Monfils again took the lead in the tiebreaker and was at the breakpoint, but Nole again made a comeback to win the tiebreaker and the second set.
In the third and last set, the current World N0. 1 then gives Monfils any chance to take a lead and won the set and also the semifinals match with a score of 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-1. Novak Djokovic further won the tournament.
#7. Roger Federer vs Ramirez Hidalgo
Ramirez Hidalgo isn’t a much renowned name, as he only made it so far to ATP Ranking 50 in his entire career. However, if he’s remembered, then it’s only for his 2008 Monte Carlo Masters against Roger Federer.
Roger Federer vs Ramirez Hidalgo, Monte Carlo Masters 2008. (Source: Getty Images)
The Swiss dominated Hidalgo in the first set and won that set in an instant. However, the Spaniard didn’t let the Swiss legend to take the lead in the second set and Ramirez won the set. Further, the retired World No. 50 forced King Federer to the edge in the last set and everyone suspected Roger might lose the match.
Federer made a comeback and forced the match into a tiebreaker, where Roger defeated Hidalgo and won the match with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 7-6. But The Swiss failed to win the tournament, losing to Nadal in the finals.
#6. Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev faced Nadal twice in the ATP finals and could have won both the face-offs, but the Spanish maestro had a dramatic comeback in the 2019 Tour finals, which is one of the greatest tennis comeback of all time.
At their first encounter in 2019 Final Tour, both the pros pushed each other to the edge eventually they settled the first set with a tiebreaker, which Medvedev won. But Nadal took the second set with ease. However, the Russian again hit Rafa real hard and was at the breakpoint to win the match.
The Spanish bull flipped the entire game when he was near to defeat and made a dramatic comeback in the game and led the match to the second tie breaker. Rafa won the second tiebreaker and eventually won the match with a score of 6-7, 6-3, 7-6.
#5. Jack Sock vs Kyle Edmund
In 2017 Paris Masters, Jack Sock went up against Kyle Edmund, where the Brit took the first set from the American pro. However, in the next set both pushed each other to the edge, resulting into a tiebreaker to settle that set, where Sock won.
Jack Sock’s one of the greatest tennis comebacks of all time against Kyle Edmund at the Paris Masters 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
In the third and final set, Edmund took the lead and Sock was on the verge of losing the match. But then Sock made an epic comeback and pushed the match to the second tiebreaker. Again, Sock won the second tiebreaker and also won the match with an eventual score of 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5). Sock further lifted the 2017 Paris Masters title.
#4. Jim Courier vs Pete Sampras
The 1995 Australian Open quarterfinals between two tennis titans like Jim Courier and Pete Sampras can be a sight to remember. And the match was sure fill with drama and emotions.
Pete Sampras vs Jim Courier, 1995 Australian Open. (Source: Getty Images)
Both the players pushed each other to the edge of the cliff throughout the match, but Courier was in the lead after winning first two sets. But Sampras then made one of the greatest tennis comeback of all time. Sampras won the dramatic match with a score of 6-7(4), 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. However, the victory had more meaning for Pete, as he was sad because of his coach being diagnosed with brain tumour.
#3. Andre Agassi vs Andrei Medvedev
The 1999 Roland Garros final between Andre Agassi and Andrei Medvedev would turn into a cliff-hanger. No one expected this to happen, as a veteran like Agassi was up against a youngster. But Medvedev shocked everyone by winning the first two sets and pushing Agassi to the verge of losing.
Andre Agassi’s greatest comebacks of all time against Andrei Medvedev at the 1999 French Open final. (Source: Getty Images)
The Ukrainian pro was just a few points away from lifting the French Grand Slam title, but Agassi made the greatest comeback into the match and won the next three sets. The American legend won the final match with a score of 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and added another major title to his collection.
#2. Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have faced each other on countless occasions. The match between two grand titans always turns into the most epic match, but their 2005 Miami Open was on another scale.
The 2005 Miami finals was the second face-off between the two after the 2004 Miami Open, which Rafael Nadal won. Even Nadal was the favorite to win this Masters 1000 finals after taking two sets away from King Federer. Then Roger made the epic comeback in the match and took the Miami Open title from Rafa with an eventual score of 2-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1.
#1. John McEnroe vs Ivan Lendl
The 1984 French Open final between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl is one of the greatest match in history but also the story of the greatest tennis comebacks of all time.
The American hothead was the poster boy for tennis during the 80s, as he was dominating the game. But in 1984, McEnroe was like playing on a level of his own, as he had a winning streak of 39 matches. And everyone expected the streak will continue to 40 and McEnroe will also lift the French Open title after winning the first two sets.
The Czech pro shocked the entire world and McEnroe too, as Lendl made an epic comeback in the match and took the major title from the grasp of the American legend. Ivan won the Roland Garros final with a score of 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5.
