Greatest Back-To-Back Pair of 5-Set Men's Singles Grand Slam Finals In The Open Era?

[Lozo1016]

It has (shockingly) only happened 4 times in the Open Era, so I'm wondering which is the greatest pair.

1972
Wimbledon - Smith def. Nastase 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
U.S. Open - Nastase def. Ashe 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3

1980
Wimbledon - Borg def. McEnroe 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16), 8-6
U.S. Open - McEnroe def. Borg 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-4

2009
WImbledon - Federer def. Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14
U.S. Open - del Potro def. Federer 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2

2019
Wimbledon - Djokovic def. Federer 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3)
U.S. Open - Nadal def. Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4

 

[Fridge]

2009 had higher level in both and pretty even amounts of drama

 

[Arafel]

The McEnroe-Borg matches were like nothing else. The fact it was the same players in both elevates them over the other three. More drama too. McEnroe trying to win his first Wimbledon and Borg going for five straight, then Borg trying to win his first US Open and get 3/4 to the CYGS. Also when the fifth started, Borg was the favorite as he'd never lost a fifth set in a final and had a reputation as a great fifth setter

 

[NoleFam]

Although 1972 and 1980 were before my time, the 1980 Wimbledon match is one of legend. So probably between 1980 and 2019, with 1980 taking it slightly.

 

[Lozo1016]

Yeah, 1980 was the famous 4th set 18-16 tiebreak at Wimbledon. I'd say the 1980 U.S. Open was Borg's best shot at ever winning in New York, came up just short.

 

[helterskelter]

2019 were both very low quality as epic grand slam finals go. Two of the worst quality of such epics I've ever seen and I've been watching tennis for well over 30 years.

 

[Mainad]

2019 were both very low quality as epic grand slam finals go. Two of the worst quality of such epics I've ever seen and I've been watching tennis for well over 30 years.

?????

 

[Tshooter]

2019 were both very low quality as epic grand slam finals go. Two of the worst quality of such epics I've ever seen and I've been watching tennis for well over 30 years.

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[ibbi]

Not seen the pair from 72 so can't comment on them, but I'd comfortably take the 1980 duo over either of the others. I don't think the level in the 09 or 19 Wimbledon final was that high, both matches were just elevated by their epic final sets.

 

[ibbi]

Damn, they're both on YouTube (minus one set. god bless da tube) and check out the quality on that US Open final, you can see the ball and everything! The days when 5 set matches could be done in two and a half hours!

 

[Spencer Gore]

1980.

 

[Xavier G]

Things have moved on tennis-wise, but the 1980 pair of matches is still the best imo, with the McEnroe-Borg rivalry and the battle for no.1, with Mac trying to win his 1st Wimbledon against the defending champ Borg and Borg then trying to win his 1st US Open against the defending champ McEnroe.

 

[Lozo1016]

Damn, they're both on YouTube (minus one set. god bless da tube) and check out the quality on that US Open final, you can see the ball and everything! The days when 5 set matches could be done in two and a half hours!

I'm going to have to watch these some day. See if Nastase was behaving himself in these matches.