Anderson, Isner demand way to curb ‘marathons’
Kevin Anderson and John Isner called for grand slam chiefs to introduce a cutoff 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 endurance test, beating Isner 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24 in six hours and 36 minutes.
The final set lasted just five minutes short of three hours.
Anderson, 32, is the first South African man since Brian Norton 97 years ago to reach the Wimbledon final.
He will now face Novak Djokovic in today’s final after the Serb beat Rafael Nadal in another marathon.
Anderson made it clear grand slam tournament organisers should consider a rule change 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 also went 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,” Anderson added. “If I was on the opposite [losing] side I don’t know how you take it.”
Isner previously won the longest grand slam singles match against Nicolas Mahut, lasting 11 hours and five minutes over three days in the 2010 Wimbledon first round.
The American, 33, agreed with Anderson that Wimbledon, the Australian Open and Roland Garros should fall in line with the US Open and introduce a tiebreak in the final set.
“I agree with Kevin. I personally think a sensible option would be 12-All,” said Isner, who was bidding to reach his first major final at the 41st attempt.
“If one person can’t finish the other off before 12-All, then do a tiebreaker. I think it’s long overdue.”
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.
Isner said that being part of yet another record-breaking match did not help ease his pain. “That’s no consolation to me. I’m not going to hang my hat on that, for sure,” he said.