Rafael Nadal’s tennis racket from his historic 2017 French Open victory has set a new auction record, selling for $157,333.20 (approximately ₹1.34 crore) at a Prestige Memorabilia auction on June 8, 2025. This sale surpasses the previous record of $139,700 set by another of Nadal’s rackets from the 2022 Australian Open.
The racket in question was used by Nadal during his straight-sets victory over Stan Wawrinka in the 2017 French Open final, where he clinched his tenth Roland Garros title with a scoreline of 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 . This win was particularly remarkable as Nadal did not drop a single set throughout the tournament, losing only 35 games in total—a personal best and the second-best in the tournament’s history after Björn Borg’s 1978 run.
The racket’s value is further enhanced by its extensive provenance. Through photo-matching technology, it has been confirmed that the racket was used in 24 official matches across Nadal’s 2017 season, including significant matches at the Madrid Open, Miami Open, and the Australian Open, where he faced Roger Federer in the final . This level of documentation makes it an exceptional piece of tennis memorabilia.
The racket also features distinctive characteristics that authenticate its connection to Nadal, including his “Rafa” emblem on the throat and a specific stringing sticker reading “RG 2017 Nadal” from the French Open tournament.
This record-breaking sale underscores Nadal’s enduring legacy in the tennis world. His 2017 French Open victory was a testament to his dominance on clay courts, and the sale of his racket serves as a tangible connection to that remarkable achievement.
