{
  "name": "Stakhovsky Tennis Match Length Index 2026",
  "research_id": "MTL-01",
  "version": "1.0",
  "page": "https://stakhovskytennis.com/research/tennis-match-length",
  "date_published": "2026-10-11",
  "date_modified": "2026-10-11",
  "source_reviewed": "2026-10-11",
  "creator": "Stakhovsky Tennis",
  "attribution": "Editorial compilation, not original match timing research.",
  "license": {
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "notice": "CC BY 4.0 covers original Stakhovsky Tennis compilation and annotations. Third-party material remains subject to its source terms."
  },
  "method": "Keep publisher estimates, historical observations, literature ranges, official event records and arithmetic illustrations separate. Retain source periods and categories. Empty bounds are unknown or not supplied, never zero. Open-ended estimates are not finite maximum durations. Scoring rules are linked in the article, not represented as measured-duration rows.",
  "records": [
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-straight",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "Best of three, straight sets",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 60,
      "value_max": 90,
      "bound_type": "finite_range",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "60–90 minutes",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "Two sets played; publisher planning estimate without a disclosed timed-match sample, not an upper limit."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-three",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "Best of three, deciding third set",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 90,
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "open_ended_upper",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "90 minutes to over 2 hours",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "The source exceeds two hours at the upper end. No finite maximum is supplied; 120 is not a cap."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-best-five",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "Best of five, typical estimate",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 150,
      "value_max": 210,
      "bound_type": "finite_range",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "150–210 minutes",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "Source gives 2.5–3.5 hours for the format, not specifically for matches reaching a fifth set."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-five-sets",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "All five sets played",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": 240,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "can_exceed_threshold",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "Can exceed 240 minutes",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "The source says five-set matches can exceed four hours. The value is a possible-exceedance threshold, not a minimum or measured average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-pro-set",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "8-game pro set",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 45,
      "value_max": 60,
      "bound_type": "finite_range",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "45–60 minutes",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "Publisher planning estimate, not a guarantee; competition scoring rules still apply."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-format-fast4",
      "table_id": "table-1",
      "group": "Fast4",
      "measure": "Match-duration planning guidance",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": 60,
      "bound_type": "upper_exclusive_guidance",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "Under 60 minutes in the guide",
      "source_period": "Guide published April 2026",
      "source": "UTR Sports",
      "source_url": "https://www.utrsports.net/blogs/news/how-long-is-a-tennis-match-average-times-record-breakers",
      "source_published": "2026-04-20",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "publisher_planning_estimate",
      "notes": "Publisher guidance, not an enforceable match-time cap. Check the event's exact set and tiebreak format."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-all-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "All matches",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 98,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "98 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-all-2023",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "All matches",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 119,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "119 minutes",
      "source_period": "2023",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-all-2024",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "All matches",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 120,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "120 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-majors-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "All majors",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 139,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "139 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-majors-2023",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "All majors",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 166,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "166 minutes",
      "source_period": "2023",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-rg-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "French Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 143,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "143 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-rg-2023",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "French Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 175,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "175 minutes",
      "source_period": "2023",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-wimbledon-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "Wimbledon",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 136,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "136 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-wimbledon-2023",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "Wimbledon",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 160,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "160 minutes",
      "source_period": "2023",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-usopen-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "US Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 138,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "138 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-usopen-2023",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "US Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 159,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "159 minutes",
      "source_period": "2023",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-ao-1999",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "Australian Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 139,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "139 minutes",
      "source_period": "1999",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ptpa-ao-2024",
      "table_id": "table-2",
      "group": "Australian Open",
      "measure": "Reported historical mean match duration",
      "value": 179,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "179 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "historical_report_observation",
      "notes": "Selected value from the 2024 report. Event inclusion rules and sample sizes are not fully disclosed in the summary; do not relabel as a current 2026 ATP or WTA average."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ball-in-play",
      "table_id": "table-3",
      "group": "Historical studies in the 2015 review",
      "measure": "Ball-in-play share",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 16,
      "value_max": 29,
      "bound_type": "finite_range",
      "unit": "percent",
      "display_value": "16–29%",
      "source_period": "Studies summarised in 2015; individual collection dates vary",
      "source": "Sánchez-Alcaraz Martínez, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review",
      "source_url": "https://itfcoachingreview.com/index.php/journal/article/download/151/424/516",
      "source_published": "2015",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "literature_review_range",
      "notes": "A range across prior studies, not a measured fraction for every current match and not a controlled surface comparison."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-ball-two-hour",
      "table_id": "table-3",
      "group": "Illustrative 120-minute match",
      "measure": "Ball-in-play minutes from the review range",
      "value": "",
      "value_min": 19.2,
      "value_max": 34.8,
      "bound_type": "finite_range",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "19.2–34.8 minutes",
      "source_period": "Illustration calculated for this compilation, 2026-10-11",
      "source": "Stakhovsky Tennis calculation from the 2015 ITF review",
      "source_url": "https://itfcoachingreview.com/index.php/journal/article/download/151/424/516",
      "source_published": "2015",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "derived_illustration",
      "notes": "120 × 0.16 = 19.2; 120 × 0.29 = 34.8. This is arithmetic, not an additional observed match sample."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-record-isner-mahut",
      "table_id": "table-4",
      "group": "John Isner d. Nicolas Mahut",
      "measure": "Reported historical match duration",
      "value": 665,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "11 h 5 min (665 min)",
      "source_period": "2010-06-22/2010-06-24",
      "source": "Wimbledon 2020 Compendium",
      "source_url": "https://www.wimbledon.com/pdf/2020_Compendium.pdf",
      "source_published": "2020",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "official_event_record",
      "notes": "2010 first round, final set 70–68. Match duration spans three dates; it is not uninterrupted elapsed play."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-record-davis",
      "table_id": "table-4",
      "group": "Tomas Berdych / Lukas Rosol d. Stanislas Wawrinka / Marco Chiudinelli",
      "measure": "Reported historical match duration",
      "value": 421,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "7 h 1 min (421 min)",
      "source_period": "2013-02-02",
      "source": "Davis Cup match report",
      "source_url": "https://legacy-daviscup.itftennis.com/en/news/137795.aspx",
      "source_published": "2013-02-02",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "official_event_record",
      "notes": "Davis Cup doubles; final set 24–22. Selected record category, not a complete marathon ranking."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-record-ao-final",
      "table_id": "table-4",
      "group": "Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal",
      "measure": "Reported historical match duration",
      "value": 353,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "5 h 53 min (353 min)",
      "source_period": "2012",
      "source": "Australian Open memorable moments",
      "source_url": "https://ausopen.com/history/memorable-moments/2012-great-tennis-match-all-time",
      "source_published": "",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "official_event_record",
      "notes": "2012 final, identified by the tournament as the longest Grand Slam final."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-record-wimbledon-final",
      "table_id": "table-4",
      "group": "Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer",
      "measure": "Reported historical match duration",
      "value": 297,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "4 h 57 min (297 min)",
      "source_period": "2019",
      "source": "Wimbledon 2020 Compendium",
      "source_url": "https://www.wimbledon.com/pdf/2020_Compendium.pdf",
      "source_published": "2020",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "official_event_record",
      "notes": "2019 final, listed as the longest men's Wimbledon final in the 2020 compendium; preserve the source's record date."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-record-schiavone",
      "table_id": "table-4",
      "group": "Francesca Schiavone d. Svetlana Kuznetsova",
      "measure": "Reported historical match duration",
      "value": 284,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "4 h 44 min (284 min)",
      "source_period": "2011",
      "source": "Australian Open historical match list",
      "source_url": "https://ausopen.com/articles/news/10-longest-matches-australian-open-history",
      "source_published": "",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "official_event_record",
      "notes": "2011 fourth round; women's Australian Open event record in the source. Schiavone won 6–4, 1–6, 16–14."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-work-match-no-injury",
      "table_id": "table-6",
      "group": "No injury reported",
      "measure": "Mean match duration",
      "value": 109,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "109 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024 report; underlying observation dates not specified in the summary",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "descriptive_association",
      "notes": "Group comparison, not proof of causation, an individual injury prediction, or a safe training threshold. Sample and adjustment details are not fully disclosed in the summary."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-work-match-injury",
      "table_id": "table-6",
      "group": "Injury reported",
      "measure": "Mean match duration",
      "value": 122,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "122 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024 report; underlying observation dates not specified in the summary",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "descriptive_association",
      "notes": "Group comparison, not proof of causation, an individual injury prediction, or a safe training threshold. Sample and adjustment details are not fully disclosed in the summary."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-work-month-no-injury",
      "table_id": "table-6",
      "group": "No injury reported",
      "measure": "Minutes played in the preceding month",
      "value": 343,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "343 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024 report; underlying observation dates not specified in the summary",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "descriptive_association",
      "notes": "Group comparison, not proof of causation, an individual injury prediction, or a safe training threshold. Sample and adjustment details are not fully disclosed in the summary."
    },
    {
      "id": "mtl-work-month-injury",
      "table_id": "table-6",
      "group": "Injury reported",
      "measure": "Minutes played in the preceding month",
      "value": 461,
      "value_min": "",
      "value_max": "",
      "bound_type": "point",
      "unit": "minutes",
      "display_value": "461 minutes",
      "source_period": "2024 report; underlying observation dates not specified in the summary",
      "source": "Professional Tennis Players Association",
      "source_url": "https://ptpaplayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Web-PTPA-PlayerHealthReport-v4-1-1.pdf",
      "source_published": "2024",
      "source_checked": "2026-10-11",
      "evidence_class": "descriptive_association",
      "notes": "Group comparison, not proof of causation, an individual injury prediction, or a safe training threshold. Sample and adjustment details are not fully disclosed in the summary."
    }
  ]
}