Roger Federer's Racket From Iconic French Open Final With Rafael Nadal Up For Auction
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Roger Federer has put one of his rackets up for sale, and whoever bids the most will undoubtedly pay a steep price since it is from a major final against Rafael Nadal.
Federer and Nadal contested some of the greatest matches in tennis history. Their 2008 Wimbledon final, won by Nadal in five sets, is considered by many to be the greatest ever played.
Other five-set battles between the pair were the 2007 Wimbledon and 2017 Australian Open finals, which Federer won, and the 2009 Australian Open final, which went Nadal's way. All those matches helped cement the pair's rivalry as one of the best in sports history.
Although the 2011 French Open final between the two did not go to five sets, it was a terrific match and might be the most underrated of the 40 matches that Federer and Nadal played in their rivalry.
Federer defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinal, ending the Serbian's incredible 43-match winning streak. He had lost three previous finals at Roland Garros to Nadal, but entered the 2011 final with confidence after beating Djokovic.
The Swiss maestro could not have played much better during an outstanding opening three sets. He went toe-to-toe with the best clay court player ever. However, Nadal was stronger in the significant moments to take a 7-5, 7-6 lead.
Federer staged a dramatic comeback from 2-4 to win the third set, but it ultimately proved in vain. The 2009 champion at Roland Garros could not sustain his level in the fourth and slipped to a 5-7, 6-7, 7-5, 1-6 loss.
That excellent final might be revisited and get the respect it deserves with the attention from Federer auctioning his racket from the match. The current bid for his red, gold, and black racket, available through Goldin Auctions, is $18,000.
However, the final price paid for the racket is expected to be significantly more. It has been estimated that it could end up being around $55,000, but it is impossible to know for sure at this stage.
Federer has signed the racket with a marker and there are stains on the handle, showing that it was definitely used by the 20-time Grand Slam champion during that four-set battle with Nadal.
The era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic dominating tennis is one of the most incredible periods in sports. Those three legends moved tennis to a new level and created millions of new tennis fans worldwide.
Carlos Alcaraz's emergence has become even more pivotal because of Federer and Nadal's retirements. However, the 21-year-old does not think any of his rivalries will reach the level of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic's.
That is modest of Alcaraz and shows the esteem in which he holds the trio. Many think the Spaniard and Jannik Sinner's rivalry has the best chance of matching or coming near those three. Both men have many years ahead of them, making it a possibility.
The 2025 Italian Open is the earliest possibility of Sinner and Alcaraz renewing their rivalry due to Sinner's suspension from ATP tournaments until May 4th for testing positive for clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
