Matteo Arnaldi has made history with his lengthy journey to the Roland Garros quarter-finals.
The Italian has now spent 17 hours and 42 minutes on court through four matches, one hour and 58 minutes longer than any other player has taken to make the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam tournament since the ATP Tour began recording match times in 1991.
Arnaldi has needed nearly 18 hours, while nobody else has spent 16 hours to make the last eight at a major. The 25-year-old battled past Frances Tiafoe in five hours and 26 minutes to make the last eight.
Three of the Italian’s victories in Paris this year have required at least four hours, with his third-round triumph against Raphael Collignon coming just two minutes why of five hours. His shortest win was a four-set victory in the second round against 2021 Roland Garros finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (3 hours, 17 minutes).
Arnaldi's Roland Garros matches
| Round | Result | Match Time |
| R1 | def. Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(9), 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 | 4hr 1m |
| R2 | def. Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 | 3hr 17m |
| R3 | def. Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-7(5), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4) | 4hr 58m |
| R4 | def. Frances Tiafoe 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 | 5hr 26m |
Before Arnaldi’s marathon journey to the Paris quarter-finals, the longest run to the last eight at a major belonged to Nicklas Kulti, who needed 15 hours and 44 minutes at Roland Garros in 1992.
Most Time On Court En Route To Major QF (since 1991)
| Player | Tournament | Time |
| Matteo Arnaldi | 2026 Roland Garros | 17hr 42m |
| Nicklas Kulti | 1992 Roland Garros | 15hr 44m |
| Albert Costa | 2003 Roland Garros | 15hr 2m |
| Ivan Lendl | 1992 US Open | 14hr 42m |
| Joao Fonseca | 2026 Roland Garros | 14hr 29m |
To put Arnaldi’s grueling effort into context, only two players have taken longer to advance to the semi-finals at a major than Arnaldi has needed to make the quarter-finals. Albert Costa played for 18 hours and 31 minutes to make the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2003, while Marin Cilic competed for 18 hours and eight minutes to reach the last four at the 2010 Australian Open. Both men lost in the semi-finals.
Arnaldi lost eight of his first 10 matches at all levels this season, before winning seven consecutive matches (five in three sets). The Italian won the ATP Challenger Tour event in Cagliari and then reached the third round at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid.
Now the No. 53 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings has earned his way into his first Grand Slam quarter-final in historic fashion. Next up will be countryman Matteo Berrettini, who has needed 13 hours and 11 minutes to make it this far.
- Credit to Jon Jeraj for his research for this article.
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