In this year’s Australian Open, we saw two great comebacks. Jannik Sinner won his first Grand Slam title after falling two sets behind to Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev reached the finals by coming back from a two set deficit to defeat Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. This made me want to write about the most dramatic comebacks in the Open era.
Ivan Lendl vs John McEnroe – 1984 French Open Final
Before the final of the 1984 French Open, McEnroe was on an incredible winning streak with 42 victories in a row. It seemed that he was very close to another victory after he easily won the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 against Ivan Lendl. Lendl had lost the prior four matches against McEnroe and it was not looking good for Lendl. Lendl then gave us all an important lesson about never giving up! Lendl came back to win the third set, 6-4. In the fourth set, McEnroe managed to break first and was close to winning another break, but Lendl managed to save his serve and then twice breaking McEnroe. Lendl won the fourth set, 7-5. The last set was extremely exciting, with Lendl winning the fifth set, 7-5, and the tournament. In hindsight, this loss was especially painful for McEnroe as it was the only time he reached the finals of the French Open.
Pete Sampras vs Jim Courier – 1995 Australian Open Quarter – Final
Pete Sampras begin his 1995 Australian quarter-final match against Jim Courier very sad as he had just learned that his longtime coach, Tim Gullickson, had a terminal brain tumor. Throughout the match, Sampras struggled with his emotions and Courier won each of the first two sets in a tiebreaker. Sampras did not give up and managed to win the third set, 6-3. In the fourth set, Courier broke first and it looked like Sampras may soon be losing the match. However, Sampras broke back and eventually won the fourth set, 6-4. In the final set, Sampras broke down emotionally and Courier even offered to continue the match the next day. Sampras found the strength to continue the match and won the fifth set, 6-3.
Andre Agassi vs Andrei Medvedev – 1999 French Open Final
Andre Agassi completed a Career Grand Slam when he won his only title at the French Open in 1999. The match was not an easy one for Agassi. He faced Andrei Medvedev, who at that moment, was only the 100-ranked player in the world. Medvedev quickly defeated Agassi in the first two sets, 6-1, 6-2. Medvedev, from Ukraine, then had a bit of bad luck when it started to rain in the third set, giving Agassi time to get focused on the match. The momentum shifted when play resumed, with Agassi winning the next three sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer – 2019 Wimbledon Final
With two match points to play, Roger Federer was just one point from victory against Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Wimbledon final. A victory would have given Federer his record ninth title on the All England Club courts. Djokovic, as always, did not give up and staged an incredible comeback. Djokovic won the first and third sets, with Federer winning the second and fourth sets. In the fifth and final set, the drama reached its climax as Federer found himself up two match points with a score of 8-7 (40-15). Incredibly, Djokovic defended the two match points and then broke Federer to win the game. The set continued till it was 12-12. The rules provide for a fifth set tiebreaker at 12-12, which Djokovic won 7-3 to win the match and tournament.
Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev – 2022 Australian Open
Just like in the 2024 Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev found himself with a two set lead in the 2022 Australian Open, this time against Rafael Nadal. Medvedev won the first two sets 6-2, 7-6(7-5). In the sixth game of the third set, Nadal faced three break points. However, Nadal staged an incredible comeback, ultimately winning the third set 6-4. Medvedev, who was very frustrated, saw the crowd turn against him. Nadal went on to win the fourth set, 6-4. In the fifth set, Nadal and Medvedev battled back and forth, with Nadal breaking Medvedev with the score tied at 5-5. Nadal won the fifth set 7-5, giving him his then record 21st Grand Slam title.
