Let’s start with the women. At Wimbledon, every women’s singles match—from the first round to the final—is best of three sets. That means the first player to win two sets takes the whole match. Picture a best-of-three in your own life: maybe you and a friend are arguing over the last slice of pizza. First to two wins gets the cheesy prize. That’s it—quick, decisive, and you’re back to enjoying your afternoon.
For the men, it’s a different story. Until the quarterfinals, men’s singles matches are also best of three sets. But from the quarterfinals onwards—including the semifinals and the final—the men play best of five sets. That’s right: the first player to win three sets claims victory. It’s like a weekend road trip that keeps taking unexpected detours. You pack snacks for a three-hour drive, but suddenly you’re seven hours in, and everyone is singing “Sweet Caroline” at a rest stop.
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The Drama of a Fifth Set
This is where things get juicy, and why you should block out your Sunday afternoon. A best-of-five men’s match can stretch into a fifth set, and that’s when Wimbledon adds its own quirky twist. There is no tiebreak in the final set—players must win by two games, which means matches can go on forever. In 2010, John Isner played Nicolas Mahut in a match that lasted 11 hours over three days. Yes, you read that right—three days. That’s longer than your last family reunion, and far more dramatic.
Compare that to your own life: you know when you’re playing a board game with your kids, and nobody wants to stop until someone wins by two? That’s the same energy. It’s exhausting, thrilling, and makes for a great story. You care because this rule creates legends. When Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic play a fifth set, it’s not just tennis—it’s a life lesson in persistence and finding the last bit of energy after a long week.
