Table of Contents
- These matches have grabbed international headlines due to the thrill of action
- Wimbledon is the most-watched tournament in the history of Grand Slams
- Some 25.6 million people watched the entire 2023 Wimbledon event
Strategy, social support, physical and mental challenge and ultimately great rewards form the basis of the most watched tennis matches of all time.
These matches have grabbed international headlines due to the thrill of action coupled with drama and raw athleticism. There are timeless narratives of the beauty of this sport that end in joy and grief in equal measure for competitors. What you may not know is that these tournaments greatly shape the history of tennis in many ways.
WHICH TENNIS TOURNAMENT IS THE MOST WATCHED?
Wimbledon is far and away the most-watched tournament in the history of the Grand Slams. Some 25.6 million people watched the entire 2023 Wimbledon event on BBC TV. This major and third Slam of the year streamed 54.3 million times on iPlayer and online as a result of the BBC’s comprehensive coverage which broke previous records for digital viewing figures.
It is a prestigious grand slam dating back to the 1800s when it started. In 2019, Wimbledon pulled 9.6 million viewers in the UK alone and this number increased twofold by 2023. Some 285 million fans watched Wimbledon matches in 2022 alone. In 2024, the event had over 2 billion viewers worldwide.
In light of this, here are the most watched tennis matches of all time.
VENUS WILLIAMS VS SERENA WILLIAMS, 2008 WIMBLEDON FINALS
Serena Williams Vs Venus Williams. Photo/CBS Sport
The Williams sisters met for the first time in 2008 and it was the most anticipated match of the decade. It was and still is among the most epic Wimbledon finals in tennis history. Being the greatest tennis players of all time, they put on a show for the ages with Serena winning the match in three sets to win one of her seven Wimbledon titles. However, it was a close and competitive match.
JOHN MCENROE VS BJORN BORG, 1980 WIMBLEDON FINALS
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe are two of the most dominant players of their era. Their 1980 Wimbledon finals match was full of drama and excitement which is what makes it the most watched tennis matches of all time. Borg won the match in five sets, but it was a close and hard-fought battle.
RAFAEL NADAL VS NOVAK DJOKOVIC 2021 FRENCH OPEN SEMI-FINAL
This match was a classic between two of the greatest players of all time. Djokovic and Nadal are popular for their physical and mental toughness. And this match was no exception. Djokovic won the match in four sets, denying Nadal, the self-style king of clay court another French Open slam but it was a gruelling and dramatic battle.
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE VS LI NA, 2011 FRENCH OPEN FINALS
This was Li Na’s first Grand Slam final, and she made history by becoming the first Chinese player to win a major title. Schiavone was the defending champion, but Li Na carried the day. Li Na won the match in three sets, and it was a joyous moment for Chinese tennis fans.
RAFAEL NADAL VS ROGER FEDERER, 2005 MIAMI OPEN FINALS
Nadal playing against Federer in a Masters 1000 event brought the net effect of the most watched tennis matches of all time. It was the first time Federer and Nadal met in a Masters final. Federer was the defending champion, while Nadal was the rising star of the sport. Federer won the match in straight sets.
STEFFI GRAF VS MONICA SELES, 1992 FRENCH OPEN FINALS
Monica Seles was a star in her era and at 18 years old, she had a faceoff with Steffi Graf in the 1992 French Open finals. Seles was the defending world No. 1 star in 1992 with nine Grand Slams to her name. Despite a riveting match with Graf fighting off fiercely, Seles prevailed adding a 10th Grand Slam.
RAFAEL NADAL VS NOVAK DJOKOVIC, 2012 AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALS
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Photo Roger Parker/Alamy Live News
In case you are doubting this is among the most watched tennis matches of all time; the fact that it lasted one hour and 53 minutes proves it. This was their third straight Grand Slam final where Djokovic triumphed against Nadal in five sets with 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 wins.
IS NADAL THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME?
Nadal, a Spanish tennis player is among the greatest of all time in tennis. He has 22 Grand Slams and holds a special history at Roland Garros. He won the French Open a record 14 times, which is more than any other player in history. Further, he is also the only player to ever win all four Grand Slams twice on three different surfaces (clay, hard, and grass).
