The Art of the Grand Slam Comeback

All the greatest comebacks in history have one thing in common. The winner starts by losing and then turns everything around at a critical moment. We have all seen elite players bringing their A game whenever they are two sets down or in a must-win position.

When all appears to be lost, that’s when the comeback kings and princes in tennis defy all odds and win grueling and thrilling matches that are then talked about, for many years to come.

Here are some of the greatest Grand Slam comebacks throughout the years that have left a mark on the history of tennis. They illustrate the champion’s spirit and how luck and skill can come together to deliver the win.

Andy Murray vs. Fernando Verdasco: 2013 Wimbledon Quarterfinal

On many occasions, quarterfinals and semi-finals have turned out to be more thrilling than a final, especially when the final turns out to be one-sided and not particularly competitive.

Many fans were upset that the Andy Murray vs Fernando Verdasco match happened in the quarterfinals because it was befitting of a final. At the time, Murray was on a mission to become the first British man to win Wimbledon in over 7 decades.

Only two matches separated him from clinching the title and setting a new record. All hopes of reaching his goal seemed to disappear after losing the first two sets 4-6, 3-6 to Verdasco. 

As you might guess, Murray got back on form in the third set and completely annihilated his opponent 6-1 before bringing the match to level terms in the fourth set with a 6-4 victory.

In the final set, Murray emerged victorious with a 7-5 win, after which he went on to win the tournament and become the first British man to win the Wimbledon men’s singles championship in 77 years. 

Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev: 2022 Australian Open Final

The 2022 Australian Open Final is one of the most epic comeback matches to go in the books. 35-year-old veteran Spanish player Rafael Nadal was squaring off against a sharp 26-year-old Daniil Medvedev from Russia.

Medvedev had won the first two sets (6-2,7-6) and the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena thought it was all over. As the third set started, Nadal didn’t appear to be on form, and Medvedev kept outplaying him. But then came one of the most incredible turnarounds in tennis history. Nadal managed to break Medvedev’s serve in the third set. It was a decisive moment and a complete reversal of fortune. 

After that, Nadal had to go all-in, gambling on high-risk shots with everything on the line. This single play, which felt like a last-ditch effort, changed the entire trajectory of the match. It’s the kind of high-stakes play that defines careers, much like the audacious plays found at a high roller online casino.

With full support, of most of the crowd, Nadal clinched the third set 6-4, and he suddenly had everything to play for. He slowly but surely started chipping away at Medvedev’s advantage and eventually won the fourth and fifth sets with a score of 6-4, 7-5.

Andre Agassi vs. Andrei Medvedev: 1999 French Open Final

Our third item in the list of the most epic comebacks in tennis takes us back to 1999 in the French Open final. Andre Agassi came back from two sets down in a five-set thriller while playing 25-year-old Andrei Medvedev, from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian started by winning the first two sets 6-1,6-2 after which Agassi, who was branded the comeback kid, got his mojo and won 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the next three sets. Details of the match remain clear even today, including the overwhelming joy that was visible on the French fans when the final shot of the match was struck to crown Andre Agassi his first French Open title and complete his career Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer: 2008 Wimbledon epic

No tennis list would be complete without mentioning the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. In football terms, the two would be Ronaldo and Messi or Magnus and Hikaru in chess.

The 2008 Wimbledon final has consistently ranked as one of the best finals in tennis and it’s easy to see why. Roger Federer was already up two sets, and it seemed he was well on his way to beat Nadal for a third Wimbledon final in a row. In a strange twist of events, Nadal bounced back and won in a thrilling four-hour match that ended 4-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-9.

Pete Sampras vs. Jim Courier: 1995 Australian Open Quarterfinal

Last on our list is the 1995 Australian Open quarterfinal. Pete Sampras, aged twenty-four, had just learned that his coach had terminal cancer going into the match. This could explain why he lost the first two sets to his opponent and former US number one, Jim Courier, who was also 24 years old at the time.

Given the circumstances, Pete’s mind wasn’t entirely focused on the game, and fans noticed he was struggling with emotions throughout the match. Sampras managed to compose himself with a 6-3 win in the third set and another 6-4 win in the fourth set before breaking down in tears at the court right before the match decider.

Thankfully, Sampras was determined to finish the match, and after some time out, he got back on his feet and won the final set 6-4 in one of the most emotional yet thrilling matches ever.