Nicolas Mahut, French tennis player

Nicolas Pierre Armand Mahut, born on January 21, 1982, is a highly distinguished French professional tennis player, widely celebrated for his remarkable achievements in doubles, a discipline in which he ascended to the prestigious world No. 1 ranking.

Dominance in Doubles: A Career Grand Slam Champion

Mahut’s illustrious doubles career is highlighted by his exceptional feat of becoming a five-time Grand Slam champion, notably achieving the rare "career Grand Slam." This significant accomplishment means he has secured titles at all four major tennis tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open – at least once in his career. His consistent success is largely attributed to his enduring and highly effective partnership with fellow Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Together, this formidable duo, often affectionately referred to as "HerBeh" by fans and commentators, completed their career Grand Slam with victories at the 2015 US Open, the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, the 2018 French Open, and the 2019 Australian Open. They further solidified their legacy by claiming a second French Open title in 2021, demonstrating their continued dominance and synergy on court. While their partnership has been exceptionally fruitful, Mahut also reached Grand Slam finals with other esteemed partners, including a runner-up finish at the 2013 French Open alongside Michaël Llodra and at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships with Édouard Roger-Vasselin.

World No. 1 and ATP Tour Successes

Nicolas Mahut’s ascendancy to the pinnacle of doubles tennis culminated on June 6, 2016, when he officially became the world No. 1. He maintained this elite position for an impressive cumulative total of 39 weeks, a testament to his consistent high performance and strategic prowess. His extensive success on the ATP Tour is underscored by a remarkable collection of 35 doubles titles overall. This includes two coveted ATP Finals crowns, triumphing in 2019 and 2021. The ATP Finals represent the pinnacle of the ATP Tour season, featuring only the top eight singles players and doubles teams based on their year-long performance. Furthermore, Mahut has secured seven ATP Masters 1000 titles in doubles, these tournaments being widely regarded as the most prestigious events outside of the Grand Slams and the ATP Finals, showcasing his consistent ability to perform at the highest levels of the sport.

Singles Career: A Grass Court Specialist

While celebrated primarily for his unparalleled doubles achievements, Mahut also forged a respectable and notable singles career. He reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 37 in May 2014, a significant milestone that highlights his versatility and capability as an all-around player. Uniquely, all four of his tour-level singles titles were clinched on grass courts, firmly establishing him as a recognized specialist on this fast and challenging surface. This remarkable achievement places him in exclusive company; among active players, only tennis legends Roger Federer (19 titles), Andy Murray (8 titles), and Novak Djokovic (6 titles) have secured more grass-court singles titles, underscoring Mahut's exceptional skill set tailored for this specific playing surface. His best individual performance at a Grand Slam in singles came at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, where he advanced to the fourth round.

The Longest Match in Tennis History: A Legendary Encounter

One of the most iconic and enduring moments of Nicolas Mahut’s career, and indeed in the annals of tennis history, occurred at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. In an unforgettable first-round encounter, Mahut faced American John Isner in a match that transcended the sport. This extraordinary contest became officially the longest professional tennis match ever recorded, lasting an astonishing 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days. The epic battle, played out on Court 18, concluded with Isner eventually winning the fifth and final set by an unprecedented score of 70–68. This marathon match captivated global audiences, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and athleticism to their absolute limits. Its legendary status subsequently influenced discussions and ultimately led to rule changes in Grand Slam final sets to prevent such extreme durations, cementing its place as a pivotal event in modern tennis.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nicolas Mahut

Who is Nicolas Mahut and what is he best known for?
Nicolas Mahut is a highly accomplished French professional tennis player, primarily renowned for his exceptional prowess in doubles. He is best known for achieving the "career Grand Slam" in doubles and for becoming a former world No. 1 in the discipline, as well as for being one of the participants in the longest tennis match in history at Wimbledon 2010.
What is a "career Grand Slam" in tennis doubles?
A "career Grand Slam" in tennis doubles signifies that a player or team has won all four major tennis tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open – at least once over the course of their career. Nicolas Mahut achieved this alongside his partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Who is Pierre-Hugues Herbert and what is his connection to Nicolas Mahut?
Pierre-Hugues Herbert is a fellow French professional tennis player who forms one of the most successful and enduring doubles partnerships with Nicolas Mahut. Together, they have won five Grand Slam titles, completing their career Grand Slam, and are often referred to as "HerBeh."
What is the longest match in professional tennis history?
The longest match in professional tennis history was played between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner in the first round of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. It lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, with Isner eventually winning the fifth set 70–68.
How many weeks was Nicolas Mahut ranked world No. 1 in doubles?
Nicolas Mahut held the world No. 1 ranking in doubles for a cumulative total of 39 weeks, starting from June 6, 2016.