The longest tennis match, an 11-hour Wimbledon ultramarathon over 3 days, deserves a deep rewind

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut started their 2010 first round Wimbledon match on a Tuesday. Two days and eleven-plus hours of play later, they were still out on the court, locked in what felt like an unbreakable tennis loop.

Isner has his fifth chance to end things and move on in the tournament. Mahut, as you can guess, successfully navigated the previous four. And the eyes of the tennis world are on them both.

But how does a match stretch to this absurd length? You need players with the right combined skill sets, a Grand Slam with a certain adherence to traditions of the sport, and a colleague willing to go on a pizza run.

Written and produced by Ryan Nanni
Edited and graphics by Ryan Simmons
Additional graphics by Philip Pasternak

Subscribe: https://goo.gl/Nbabae

Check out our full video catalog: https://goo.gl/9pMHRV
Visit our playlists: https://goo.gl/NvpZFF
Like SB Nation on Facebook: https://goo.gl/Pzcs7O
Follow on Twitter: https://goo.gl/5LI02D
Follow on Instagram: https://goo.gl/aY2FFK
Explore SB Nation: http://www.sbnation.com