One of Roger Federer's signed used Wilson rackets from his career-best season in 2006 has been auctioned, and the projected final price is expected to set a record.
Federer, 42, retired from professional tennis in 2022. He won 103 career titles (one of only two men to win three-digit trophies on the ATP Tour). Of those, 20 came at the Grand Slam level. In 2006, Federer was at the peak of his powers.
When it comes to charting the greatest season by a tennis player, many analysts and fans consider Federer's 2006 season at the top of the page. He won 12 titles, including three Grand Slams. In fact, he contested all four major finals that year, losing only to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
Prestige Memorabilia, the most prominent source of high-end tennis mementos, announced that Federer's 2006 Wilson racket is up for sale. The iconic piece had been stored at the Australian Tennis Museum as part of Australian tennis great Ken Rosewall’s personal collection.
The racket, which Federer autographed on the grip and frame, is being auctioned because the museum recently closed and will soon be converted into a gymnasium.
The successful bidder will receive the racket and a 2006 photo of Rosewall, Federer, and golf legend Tiger Woods - signed by Rosewall and Federer.
Collectors have issued a 14-day ultimatum, beginning with a bid price of $10,000. In recent months, Novak Djokovic's racket from his 2016 French Open win sold for $107,482, one of the highest ever for a purchased tennis memorabilia.
Rafael Nadal's wand from the 2007 French Open, in which he defeated Federer, sold for $118,206 at an online auction. Experts reckon the Swiss' racket from 2006 could surpass both those numbers, and it will be intriguing to see whether it will eclipse Nadal's racket in winning the 2022 Australian Open, which is believed to have cost $139,700.
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