Tennis star Nadal's racket fetches staggering record price at auction
A Bastion of Memorabilia:
The Babolat racket, which 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal wielded during the 2017 French Open final, fetched a whopping $157,300 at an auction by Prestige Memorabilia. According to ESPN, this represents a new record for the sale of tennis rackets at auctions, surpassing the previous record held by Nadal's racket from the 2022 Australian Open final match, where he triumphed over Russian Daniil Medvedev. That racket was sold at Sotheby's for a hefty $139,700 in 2023.
In 2017, Nadal clinched his tenth French Open title with a dominating victory over Swiss Stan Wawrinka (6:2, 6:3, 6:1), not dropping a single set throughout the tournament. The epitome of grace and power, Nadal's unparalleled performance has earned him a place in tennis history.
Tallying his achievements, Nadal has amassed an unmatched 22 Grand Slam titles, with Serbian Novak Djokovic (24) being the only player to surpass this feat. Nadal announced his retirement from the sport in November 2024.
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Here's a glimpse at some of the highest-value tennis rackets ever sold, along with their respective prices:
- Rafael Nadal's 2017 French Open Racket: A staggering $157,333.20, this Babolat racket was used during Nadal's 10th French Open win, now recognized as the most expensive tennis racket ever sold.[1][2][3]
- Rafael Nadal's 2022 Australian Open Racket: A hefty $139,700 was paid for this piece of history, previously holding the record for the most expensive tennis racket.[1][2]
- Roger Federer's 2004 Wimbledon Racket: Snatched up for $118,206, this racket played a part in one of Federer's early Wimbledon titles.[3]
- Roger Federer's 2011 French Open Racket: Sold for $55,000, notable for being employed during a French Open.[3]
- Rafael Nadal's 2007 French Open Racket: Similar to Federer's 2004 Wimbledon racket in value, but exact figures aren't detailed in recent reports.[3]
These prices underscore the value, not only of the physical artifacts, but also the history and prestige associated with these legendary players and their accomplishments in tennis.
Sports enthusiasts might find it intriguing to know that tennis, much like Nadal's 2017 French Open racket, can fetch astounding prices at auctions. The Babolat racket, used during his historic win, was sold for a record-breaking $157,300. Additionally, tennis fans could compare this with Nadal's 2022 Australian Open racket, which previously held the title, selling for $139,700.
