Wimbledon remnants belonging to Andy Murray are put up for public bidding.
The Wimbledon tennis tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar, has kicked off this week in the UK, attracting thousands of tennis fans who have travelled to West London for the tournament. Among the spectators, some have queued overnight to secure their seats, demonstrating the tournament's enduring appeal.
Off the court, tennis history is being celebrated through an auction series organised by Graham Budd Auctions. David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at the auction house, described the collection as a "perfect time to celebrate tennis history", featuring iconic pieces such as Andy Murray's 2013 Wimbledon Final shirt and cap, the net from the longest match ever played, and a match-used Fred Perry racket.
One of the star lots is Murray's white Adidas shirt from the 2013 Wimbledon final, a year in which he ended a 77-year drought for British players by winning the tournament. The shirt, adorned with sweat stains and the remnants of the iconic moment when Murray tipped his cap in victory, is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £8,000 at auction.
Accompanying the shirt is Murray's white Adidas cap, also worn during the final. With an estimated price of £2,500 to £3,500, the cap, too, carries the weight of history, as it bears the dirt from the moment Murray tipped it off in victory.
Other notable items up for auction include Fred Perry's Slazenger racquet, with an estimated price of £3,000 to £5,000, and memorabilia from British tennis' greatest moments, such as Murray's 2013 Wimbledon final clothing. The auction series also includes a signed final program and a letter of authenticity.
The match-used net from the Isner-Mahut match, a historic encounter that lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes in the first round of Wimbledon 2010, is another item up for auction. The net, a testament to the endurance and skill of the players involved, is expected to sell for an undisclosed amount.
All items have been authenticated by Wimbledon's head groundsman, Grant Cantin, ensuring the authenticity of these pieces of tennis history. The auction items will be available for viewing and bidding on July 13, 2023.
Andy Murray, a household name in British tennis, has a US Open title and two Olympic gold medals in his career, in addition to his two Wimbledon titles, one of which was won in 2016. His achievements and the memorabilia from his career make for a compelling collection, offering tennis fans a unique opportunity to own a piece of tennis history.
[1] Graham Budd Auctions - https://www.grahambudd.com/ [2] Golden Age of Tennis - https://www.goldenageoftennis.com/ [3] Wimbledon Official Site - https://www.wimbledon.com/ [4] BBC Sport - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/47933931
The auction series by Graham Budd Auctions offers a unique opportunity for investing in pieces of tennis history, with items such as Andy Murray's 2013 Wimbledon Final shirt and cap, Fred Perry's Slazenger racquet, and the match-used net from the Isner-Mahut match up for sale. For the passionate tennis fan, these mortgages to tennis history serve as a testament to the sport's enduring appeal, much like the Wimbledon tennis tournament itself.
