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Who has the best five-set record in tennis?

View the Top 10 five-set records in the Open Era
January 12, 2025
Kei Nishikori is 8-1 in five-setters at the Australian Open.
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Kei Nishikori is 8-1 in five-setters at the Australian Open. By ATP Staff

Kei Nishikori earned the fifth two-set comeback of his career Sunday at the Australian Open, where he rallied past Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

Once the former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings battled from two sets down, it was no surprise that he finished the job. The Japanese star has long been one of the best deciding-set players in tennis.

But does Nishikori own the best five-set record in the Open Era? Close, but not quite.

Best Five-Set Records (Full Career In Open Era)

 Player  Record  Winning %
 1) Bjorn Borg  27-6  81.8%
 2) Johan Kriek  18-4  81.8%
 3) Novak Djokovic  40-11  78.4%
 4) Kei Nishikori  29-8  78.4%
 5) Adrian Mannarino  14-4  77.8%
 6) Tommy Robredo  17-5  77.3%
 7) Aaron Krickstein  28-9  75.7%
 8) Harold Solomon  18-6  75%
 9) Thierry Champion  11-4  73.3%
 10) Nick Kyrgios  11-4  73.3%
*Chart reflects players who have only competed in the Open Era, 15-match minimum
According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Bjorn Borg, a member of the ATP No. 1 Club, owns the best five-set record in the Open Era among players who have played at least 15 five-setters. The Swede tallied a 27-6 record for a winning percentage of 81.8. Johan Kriek earned the same winning percentage, but claimed fewer wins (18-4).

It All Adds Up

Among active players, 99-time tour-level titlist Novak Djokovic leads the way with a 78.4 winning percentage (40-11). Nishikori is slightly behind with his 78.4 winning percentage and a 29-8 record.

"It's good to have that record because I always have good confidence, and players know that I have good records," Nishikori said. "It's good pressure for them if I have that. But maybe, like, six, seven years ago I started realising that."

Nishikori has won eight of his nine five-setters at the Australian Open. He will next take on 12th seed Tommy Paul or Christopher O'Connell.

Carlos Alcaraz owns an astonishing 12-1 five-set record. However, he did not meet the 15-match minimum to qualify for the leaderboard. However, even if the Spaniard loses his next two five-setters, he will be near the top of the list with an 80 per cent winning rate.

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