The Babolat racquet that Rafael Nadal used to finish La Decima at Roland Garros eight years ago fetched a record price of $157,333.20 (INR 49.12 lakh), including the buyer's premium, at a Prestige Memorabilia auction on Sunday.

It was the most costly racquet ever sold at auction, costing more than his previous record of $139,700 (INR 11.96 lakh), which he set in 2023 at Sotheby's by selling the racquet he used in the 2022 Australian Open, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the championship match.

Nadal won an incredible tenth French Open championship in 2017 by defeating Stan Wawrinka in straight sets with scores of 6-2, 6-3, and 6-1. The victory was all the more noteworthy because he won four more titles in his career before retiring from professional tennis in 2024 and did not lose a set along the way.

The Prestige Memorabilia lot description reads, "It's rare to discover a Grand Slam Final-used racket from Rafael Nadal." "It's unheard of to find one that's photomatched throughout a full clay season (and more) — culminating in a French Open title."

The personalized racquet features a 'Rafa' insignia at the throat and a sticker that reads 'RG 2017 Nadal'.

The 2025 French Open was the site of Nadal's farewell ceremony on Court Philippe Chatrier, which was attended by the remaining Big Four members. As the crowd, wearing "Merci Rafa" shirts, stood up and applauded, the organizers presented a little tribute video. The hour-long ceremony came to a conclusion when the organizing committee revealed the famous plaque on Court Philippe Chatrier, which has Nadal's footprint as well as the number 14 engraved on it.

“When I saw that, I assumed it would only be for this year. Given that it will be there for eternity, it is a gift that cannot be expressed in words, Nadal stated at his later news conference.

"Without a doubt, having this position on the most significant court of my tennis career has been, is, and will always be a tremendous honor and a highly emotional experience for me.

“I can't put the sensation into words, but it truly moved me.”

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