Kevin Anderson and John Isner called for Grand Slam chiefs to introduce a cut-off point for final set marathons after their Wimbledon semi-final entered the record books as the second longest ever singles match at a major.
Anderson survived Friday’s incredible endurance test, beating Isner 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 26-24 in six hours and 36 minutes.
The final set lasted just five minutes short of three hours.
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The 32-year-old Anderson is the first South African man to reach the Wimbledon final for 97 years.
But he has little time to rest his aching body before facing Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s final.
And he made it clear Grand Slam tournament organisers should consider a rule change — perhaps introducing a tie-break at 6-6 — to make the deciding set of five-set matches less gruelling.
“I hope this is a sign for Grand Slams to change. For us to be out there for that length of time. I really hope we can look at this, because at the end you don’t feel great,” said Anderson who has been on court for over 21 hours at these championships.
He had also gone five sets to beat eight-time champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, winning the decider 13-11.
“Just playing like that in those conditions was tough on both of us.
“If I was on the opposite (losing) side I don’t know how you take it.
“I have to recover as much as I can for the final now.”
Isner previously won the longest ever Grand Slam singles match against Nicolas Mahut, lasting 11 hours and five minutes over three days in the 2010 Wimbledon first round.
The 33-year-old agreed with Anderson that all Slams should introduce a tiebreak in the final set and fall in line with the US Open.
“I agree with Kevin. I personally think a sensible option would be 12-All,” said Isner who was bidding to reach his first Slam final at the 41st attempt.
“If one person can’t finish the other off before 12-All, then do a tiebreaker there. I think it’s long overdue.
“Rafa and Djokovic, I don’t even know, can they finish tonight? They’re getting on the court at 8:15, whatever it is. We’re out there playing for seven hours. You know, it’s tough.
“I’m a proponent of changing that rule, for sure. I think it needs to be done.”
Isner finished the tournament with a record 221 aces.
Until Friday, he had not dropped serve until Anderson halted that run at 110 service games in the third set.
“I feel pretty terrible. My left heel is killing me. I have an awful blister on my right foot. I’ve felt better before,” said Isner who had also been hoping to be the first American man in a Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“You know, a few days’ rest, maybe more than that, and I’ll recoup an
Isner said that being part of yet another record-breaking match did not help ease his pain.
“That’s no consolation to me. It’s not. I’m not going to hang my hat on that, for sure,” he said.
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