Novak Djokovic may have fallen short in the 2026 Australian Open final, but he has secured a different kind of crown. On the eve of his historic clash with Carlos Alcaraz, the racket Djokovic used to win the legendary 2012 Australian Open final sold for a staggering $540,000 at SCP Auctions.
The sale sets a new all-time record for the most expensive piece of tennis memorabilia ever sold publicly, nearly tripling the previous record for a tennis racket.
A Relic of Tennis History
The racket is a piece of sporting folklore, used during Djokovic’s nearly six-hour marathon victory against Rafael Nadal in 2012—the longest Grand Slam final in history. Professionally photo-matched to the championship point, the racket also saw action in the Serbian’s quarterfinal and semifinal victories that year.
The item was consigned by a fan who was seated in the front row during the 2012 final. According to a letter of provenance, after the grueling match, Djokovic approached the fan, said “merci beaucoup,” and personally handed him the match-winning racket and his torn t-shirt.
The Booming Tennis Collectibles Market
This record-breaking sale highlights the explosive growth of the tennis memorabilia market. The $540,000 price tag comfortably surpassed several recent milestones:
- Alcaraz Trading Card: A 2022 autographed rookie card previously held the top spot at $237,907.
- Alcaraz Racket: His 2023 Wimbledon final racket sold for $173,000 last October.
- Previous Djokovic Record: A 2016 French Open final racket sold for $107,000 in late 2023.
As Carlos Alcaraz cements his own legacy as the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at 22, the value of memorabilia from the “Big Three” era continues to reach unprecedented heights.