Tennis' biggest stars have contested unforgettable finals on the lawns of SW19 for more than a century. From Suzanne Lenglen to Billie Jean King , Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon has been the scene of epic drama with the trophies at stake.
Here, we rank the 10 best finals in the men's and women's singles.
Nadal v Federer (2008)
1. Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer (2008)
A third consecutive meeting between Federer and Nadal in the Wimbledon showpiece and the peak of their rivalry. Federer saved two match points in the fourth set but Nadal went on to win his maiden title with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory after four hours and 48 minutes with darkness descending.
McEnroe v Borg (1980)
2. John McEnroe v Bjorn Borg (1980)
Another famous rivalry featuring the most celebrated tie-break in tennis history. McEnroe saved five match points before eventually taking it 18-16 to send the contest to a deciding fifth set but Borg triumphed 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 8-6 to win his fifth consecutive - and final - Wimbledon title.
Ivanisevic v Rafter (2001)
3. Goran Ivanisevic v Patrick Rafter (2001)
The men's title decider in 2001 was a unique occasion after rain pushed the final back to Monday and tickets were sold to queuing fans. Ivanisevic , a three-time losing Wimbledon finalist who needed a wild card to get into the tournament, fought back tears as he claimed a fairytale 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-6 9-7 victory.
2026 Men's Odds
Wimbledon 2026 Men's Odds
Contender | Odds | Implied % |
|---|---|---|
Jannik Sinner | 4/7 | 63.6% |
Novak Djokovic | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Alexander Zverev | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Taylor Fritz | 9/1 | 10% |
Felix Auger Aliassime | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Bar | 20/1 | 4.8% |
V Williams v Davenport (2005)
4. Venus Williams v Lindsay Davenport (2005)
The longest women's Wimbledon final pitted two big-hitting Americans against each other in a battle full of fiercely struck winners. Williams had beaten Davenport to the trophy five years previously and she saved a match point in the deciding set before claiming a 4-6 7-6 9-7 win after two hours and 45 minutes.
Djokovic v Federer (2019)
5. Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer (2019)
Federer's last grand slam final proved to be one of his most painful defeats. At 37 and having lost to Djokovic in 2014 and 2015, Federer looked set to reclaim the trophy in glorious fashion when he held two match points serving at 8-7 in the fifth set but Djokovic fought back to win 7-6 1-6 7-6 4-6 13-12 in the only singles final decided by a tie-break.
Graf v Sanchez Vicario (1995)
6. Steffi Graf v Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (1995)
The women's final 31 years ago featured one of the most exciting denouements to any Wimbledon showpiece. Graf's 6-4 1-6 7-5 victory is remembered mostly for an extraordinary 20-minute game at 5-5 in the third set, where a break for Graf all but sealed her 17th grand slam title.
7. Martina Navratilova v Christine Evert (1978)
One of tennis' best rivalries really kicked off on the lawns of SW19 , where Navratilova's 2-6 6-4 7-5 victory gave her the first of a record nine Wimbledon titles and 18 grand slams . Navratilova beat Evert in all five of their Wimbledon finals but this first one was the only classic contest.
2026 Women's Odds
Wimbledon 2026 Women's Odds
Contender | Odds | Implied % |
|---|---|---|
Naomi Osaka | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Jessica Pegula | 4/1 | 20% |
Madison Keys | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Marta Kostyuk | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Karolina Muchova | 13/2 | 13.3% |
Cori Gauff | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Bar | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Court v King (1970)
8. Margaret Court v Billie Jean King (1970)
Tie-breaks had not yet been introduced when familiar foes Court and King did battle in 1970 . The first set alone consisted of 26 games, and this straight-sets victory was anything but straightforward, with Court edging a 14-12 11-9 win before going on to complete the calendar Grand Slam at the US Open.
Newcombe v Rosewall (1970)
9. John Newcombe v Ken Rosewall (1970)
The men's final in 1970 was also a memorable occasion, with Australian greats Newcombe and Rosewall duelling over five sets. Newcombe's 5-7 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory saw him regain the title he first won in 1967, while it was the closest Rosewall came in his four finals.
Lenglen v L Chambers (1919)
10. Suzanne Lenglen v Dorothea Lambert Chambers (1919)
Young Frenchwoman Lenglen , then 20, took on British veteran, and reigning champion, Lambert Chambers , as play returned to Wimbledon following the First World War . Lenglen saved two match points on her way to a 10-8 4-6 9-7 victory , beginning a run of five straight titles.
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