Tennis, a game rich in history and passion, is also rife with records – from the grand and remarkable to the obscure and quirky. While many remember records that showcase exceptional talent and dedication, there are others that stand out for their randomness or sheer peculiarity.
- Most Grand Slam Titles (Men): Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are currently tied with 20 Grand Slam titles each, demonstrating an era of intense competition and extraordinary skill.
- Most Grand Slam Titles (Women): Margaret Court stands tall with 24 titles, though Serena Williams, with 23 titles, is close behind and actively competing.
- Longest Match Ever: John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played a whopping 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days at Wimbledon 2010. A record that’s not likely to be broken anytime soon.
- Youngest Grand Slam Winner: Michael Chang won the French Open at just 17 years and 3 months in 1989, showcasing prodigious talent.
- Oldest Grand Slam Winner (Open Era): Ken Rosewall won the Australian Open in 1972 at 37 years old, proving age is just a number.
- Most Double Faults in a Match: Kristyna Pliskova double-faulted 31 times during a match in 2016, a dubious honor indeed.
- Fastest Serve (Women): Kristyna’s twin sister, Karolina Pliskova, holds a more enviable record, firing a serve at 131 mph in 2016.
- Consecutive Grand Slam Appearances: Feliciano López appeared in 74 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments from 2002 to 2019, highlighting his endurance and consistency.
- Golden Slam Achievers: Only Steffi Graf has won all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold in a single year (1988) – a nearly mythical feat.
- Most Aces in a Single Match: Going back to that marathon match between Isner and Mahut, Isner hit an astounding 113 aces, a record hard to even fathom.
Conclusion
Records reflect moments of greatness, tenacity, and sometimes, sheer oddity. While players might aspire to break the likes of Grand Slam records or achieving fastest serves, there are some records, such as most double faults, that they’d rather steer clear of. Aspiring tennis stars should be reminded: it’s not just about making history but how you wish to be remembered in it.
