A Babolat racket utilized by Rafael Nadal throughout his 2017 French Open-winning remaining was bought at a Status Memorabilia public sale for $157,333.20 together with purchaser’s premium on Sunday, essentially the most ever paid for a tennis racket.
The earlier file was a racket Nadal used throughout the 2022 Australian Open — his remaining Grand Slam title when he defeated Daniil Medvedev — which bought for $139,700 at Sotheby’s in 2023.
In 2017, Nadal defeated Stan Wawrinka in straight units, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, for his record-extending tenth French Open title. He did not drop a set all match and would go on to win 4 extra titles at Roland Garros — no different man in tennis has received greater than eight.
Nadal’s 2017 French Open racket was matched by decision photomatching to 24 totally different matches throughout Nadal’s 2017 season, together with the Madrid Open remaining, the Miami Open remaining and certain the 2017 Australian Open remaining, the final two of which Nadal misplaced to Roger Federer.
“To discover a Grand Slam Ultimate-used racket from Rafael Nadal is uncommon,” reads the Status Memorabilia lot description. “To seek out one photomatched throughout a complete clay season (and extra) — capped by a French Open title — is unprecedented.”
The custom-made racket consists of his “Rafa” emblem on the throat and a stringing sticker from the 2017 French Open that reads “RG 2017 Nadal.”