The Jetpacker

It’s one for the ages.

Today’s first-round tennis match at Wimbledon between 19th-ranked John Isner and 148th-ranked Nicolas Mahut is the longest match in the history of tennis… and it isn’t even over yet!

The match had to be suspended due to nightfall and will resume tomorrow.

So far the match has lasted exactly 10 HOURS.  That’s almost as long as a flight from Los Angeles to London!

Think about how exhausted you are after a long haul flight… and you don’t even do anything!  You just sit there and watch movies.  These dudes were out there playing tennis in the summer sun for that entire length of time.

I got tired just watching (which is probably an indication that I need to return to the gym).

Let’s put this epic match into perspective:

Never in Wimbledon’s 133-year history has a match lasted more than 112 games.  They played more than that in their fifth set alone: 118 (the score is tied at 59-59).

The record for the longest match in tennis history was 6 hours and 33 minutes, set by Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement at the 2004 French Open.  Mahut and Isner have played more than that in their fifth set alone: over 7 hours.

Think about that: their fifth set has lasted longer than any match in the history of tennis — a sport that has existed since the 16th century!

Tomorrow the record will continue to grow, but who knows for how long.  Maybe the match will only go on for a few more minutes.  Maybe a few more hours.

That begs the question: could you watch anything for 10 hours?  Could you sit through a 10-hour live event?

People from all over the world have traveled to Wimbledon to watch a match… but what if you were one of the people sitting in the stands during this particular match?

If you thought the players were numb, imagine how the spectators (especially their butts) feel sitting in the same seat hour after hour.  I mean, it’s gotta be cool to see history being made — there’s no way a match like this will ever happen again in our lifetime — but at the same time, isn’t it torture sitting there?

I was sitting on a sofa in an air conditioned room watching the match and even I got tired.  What’s it like for the people sitting in a tiny, uncomfortable seat, back straight, legs pressed together, sun beating down on them, sweat soaking their clothing, growls of hunger rumbling through the stands?

Could you endure it?  Would you want to?