Rafael Nadal’s 2007 French Open-winning racket sells for $118K
Rafael Nadal’s racket from his 2007 French Open final victory over Roger Federer was sold for more than $118,000 at an auction Monday, ranking among the highest-priced such memorabilia.
Nadal beat Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2007 final in Paris to win his third Grand Slam title before the Spaniard moved on to secure 19 more — 14 of them at Roland Garros — to become one of the sport’s greatest players.
The racket, which Nadal also used in previous matches at the tournament, including his semifinal victory against Novak Djokovic, sold for $118,206 at an online auction, Prestige Memorabilia’s The Tennis Auction, that closed on Monday.
It was previously housed in the Australian Tennis Museum prior to its recent closure.
Previous highest individual tennis racket auction sales include Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open racket ($139,700), Billie Jean King’s “Battle of the Sexes” racket ($125,000) and Djokovic’s 2016 French Open racket ($107,482).
Nadal missed the recent Australian Open this month after suffering a small muscle tear during his comeback from a long injury layoff at the Brisbane International earlier in January. The 37-year-old, however, is set to return on the court in February during the ATP 250 tournament in Doha.
Paris Masters tennis tournament moving to new location in 2025
PARIS — The Paris Masters indoor tennis tournament will move to a new location starting next year, the French tennis federation said Monday.
The tournament is moving from its long-standing home at the Bercy Arena to a larger venue at the Paris La Défense Arena, increasing the capacity from just under 17,000 to 23,000.
The FFT said the courts will be bigger and better than at the Bercy Arena, where the smaller courts were criticized by players last year. Scheduling will also improve after complaints over late finishes.
Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open on Sunday for his first Grand Slam title, pulled out during the Paris Masters last November in a scheduling protest, criticizing organizers for failing to give him enough time to rest.
Following a finish at nearly 3 a.m. in his previous match, he had less than 12 hours to recover before playing again. Several other players supported his complaint.
The current format of four daytime matches and two evening sessions will change to three daytime and two in the evening in order to avoid matches starting too late.
“This is a major strategic decision for the Paris Masters,” FFT president Gilles Moretton said. “By moving to the Paris La Défense Arena, we will fulfill our ambitions by offering our athletes and spectators an experience they will remember.”
The Bercy Arena, also known as the Accor Arena, hosts the event for the last time from Oct. 28-Nov. 3.
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