The announcement of the sale of Novak Djokovic’s 2016 French Open-winning racket at auction for a substantial sum of $107,482 has captivated tennis enthusiasts worldwide. Many have touted it as the most expensive tennis racket ever sold. However, esteemed tennis analyst Matthew Willis has dispelled this notion, highlighting another historic racket that holds the title for the most expensive.
Despite the significant amount garnered by Djokovic’s Head Speed Graphene Touch PT113B racket, which he used to achieve the Career Grand Slam, Willis has contested its claim as the costliest racket. He has brought attention to Billie Jean King’s racket from her iconic match against Bobby Riggs, famously known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’, which fetched a staggering $125,000 in 2017, making it the most expensive tennis racket ever sold at auction.
It is quite astonishing to observe the widespread coverage of this news on social media and major sports outlets without thorough fact-checking. Willis has expressed his surprise at Eurosport for amplifying a story about Djokovic’s previous racket, disputing its significance in comparison to King’s historic racket.
Billie Jean King’s triumph over Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in 1973 marked a pivotal moment for women’s tennis, and her Wilson racket from that match holds immense historical value. Auctioned at the Bonhams auction house in New York more than four decades later, the racket set a new record for the most expensive tennis racket sold at auction.
In addition to setting the record straight about the cost of Djokovic’s racket, it is intriguing to delve into the tennis star’s equipment journey. Djokovic has been aligned with Head rackets since 2009, forging a strong partnership that has resulted in remarkable success on the court. His preference for Head rackets is driven by his playing style, enabling him to execute precise and dominant tennis from the baseline.
Although Djokovic commenced his career playing with a different brand in 2006, he eventually switched to Wilson and secured his first Major title at the 2008 Australian Open with the Wilson K Factor Blade. Nevertheless, after terminating his contract with Wilson in 2008, Djokovic entered into an agreement with Head, marking the commencement of his enduring association with the brand.
This transition not only solidified Djokovic’s allegiance to Head rackets but also enhanced the company’s roster of elite players, including other Major champions such as Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, and Marin Cilic. The partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial, with Djokovic persisting in using Head rackets to this day as he aims for further accomplishments in the realm of tennis.
With the factual clarification about the cost of Novak Djokovic’s cherished racket and insights into his equipment journey, the realm of tennis remains as enthralling as ever. While Djokovic’s racket may not be the most expensive ever sold, the historical significance of iconic rackets in the sport continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike.