Player Features
Who has the best five-set record in tennis?
View the Top 10 five-set records in the Open Era
January 12, 2025
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Kei Nishikori is 8-1 in five-setters at the Australian Open.
By ATP Staff
Kei Nishikori earned the fifth two-set comeback of his career Sunday at the Australian Open, where he rallied past Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.
Once the former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings battled from two sets down, it was no surprise that he finished the job. The Japanese star has long been one of the best deciding-set players in tennis.
But does Nishikori own the best five-set record in the Open Era? Close, but not quite.
Best Five-Set Records (Full Career In Open Era)
*Chart reflects players who have only competed in the Open Era, 15-match minimum
According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Bjorn Borg, a member of the ATP No. 1 Club, owns the best five-set record in the Open Era among players who have played at least 15 five-setters. The Swede tallied a 27-6 record for a winning percentage of 81.8. Johan Kriek earned the same winning percentage, but claimed fewer wins (18-4).
Among active players, 99-time tour-level titlist Novak Djokovic leads the way with a 78.4 winning percentage (40-11). Nishikori is slightly behind with his 78.4 winning percentage and a 29-8 record.
“It’s good to have that record because I always have good confidence, and players know that I have good records,” Nishikori said. “It’s good pressure for them if I have that.
But maybe, like, six, seven years ago I started realising that.”
Nishikori has won eight of his nine five-setters at the Australian Open. He will next take on 12th seed Tommy Paul or Christopher O’Connell.
Carlos Alcaraz owns an astonishing 12-1 five-set record. However, he did not meet the 15-match minimum to qualify for the leaderboard. However, even if the Spaniard loses his next two five-setters, he will be near the top of the list with an 80 per cent winning rate.
