A racket Novak Djokovic threw into the crowd after winning his first French Open championship in 2016 was auctioned off for a record price over the weekend.
The racket fetched $107,482 in an SCP Auctions sale Sunday, becoming the most expensive tennis racket ever sold at auction, according to Darren Rovell.
$107,482: Winning bid tonight @scpauctions for tennis racket used by Novak Djokovic to complete his calendar and career grand slam at the 2016 French Open.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 3, 2023
This is the highest price ever paid for a tennis racket at auction. pic.twitter.com/wlqj7IURE3
Abby Doherty, the American fan who caught the racket, recounted the moment in an interview with Bob D'Angelo of Sports Collectors Daily last month.
"It was all in slow motion. He just flung it into the crowd," Doherty said. "I had an 'Oh my God' moment because it was coming right toward us. It hit my hand and it was deflected to the ground. I sprinted to it and put my foot on the racket and grabbed the handle. I held onto it real tight."
Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to win the 2016 French Open and complete a career Grand Slam. It was the Serbian's 12th major title at the time - a number he has since doubled.
