Rafael Nadal’s legacy continues to shine long after his retirement, as the tennis racquet he used during his unforgettable 2017 French Open victory has been sold for a record-setting price. At a Prestige Memorabilia auction held on Sunday, the custom-made Babolat racquet fetched a whopping $157,333.20 (approximately INR 49.12 lakh), including the buyer’s premium, becoming the most expensive tennis racquet ever sold at auction.
The racquet marks a monumental moment in tennis history when Nadal clinched his 10th Roland Garros title — famously dubbed “La Decima” — in 2017 by defeating Stan Wawrinka in straight sets (6-2, 6-3, 6-1). The 2017 triumph was historic not only for its milestone number but also for the fact that Nadal didn’t drop a single set throughout the tournament. He went on to win four more French Open titles, retiring in 2024 with a record 14 championships at Roland Garros.
This record-setting racquet sale surpasses the previous benchmark of $139,700 (INR 11.96 lakh), which was the price fetched at Sotheby’s in 2023 for the racquet Nadal used during his 2022 Australian Open victory against Daniil Medvedev.
The racquet, personalized with a ‘Rafa’ emblem and a sticker reading ‘RG 2017 Nadal,’ has been photomatched to Nadal’s performances across the 2017 clay court season, culminating in his Grand Slam title win. The Prestige Memorabilia description hailed it as a rare collectible, emphasizing its unmatched value as a Grand Slam final-used item.
In 2025, Nadal returned to Roland Garros for an emotional farewell ceremony held on Court Philippe Chatrier. Surrounded by fellow Big Four legends and thousands of fans wearing “Merci Rafa” shirts, Nadal received a standing ovation. The celebration concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque featuring Nadal’s footprint and the number 14 — representing his 14 titles at the French Open.
Speaking about the honor, Nadal said, “Knowing that’s going to be forever there, it’s a present that I can’t describe in words. It’s always going to be a huge honor and very emotional to have this spot on the most important court of my tennis career.”