By News18

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As an elated Novak Djokovic threw his tennis racket into the crowd after his maiden French Open title win in 2016, the special gear was collected by a passionate fan of the Serbian great. Seven years later, the lady who brought home the legend’s racket auctioned it off for a life-changing sum. The racket reportedly fetched a whopping $107,482 (Rs 95 lakh) at the SCP Auctions.
According to Darren Rovell, founder of Cllct Media, Djokovic’s French Open racket became the most expensive tennis racket ever sold at an auction. The racket, in 2016, was picked up by US-based Abby Doherty. She recounted a special memory in an interview with Sports Collectors Daily, saying the racket hit her hard initially and deflected to the ground, but she was more than happy to keep the prized possession.

$107,482: Winning bid tonight @scpauctions for tennis racket used by Novak Djokovic to complete his calendar and career grand slam at the 2016 French Open.
This is the highest price ever paid for a tennis racket at auction. pic.twitter.com/wlqj7IURE3
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 3, 2023

When Novak Djokovic’s French Open Racket Was Sold By Fan
“It was all in slow motion. He just flung it into the crowd,” Doherty had said in the interview. “I had an ‘Oh my God’ moment because it was coming right toward us. It hit my hand and it was deflected to the ground. I sprinted to it and put my foot on the racket and grabbed the handle. I held onto it real tight.”
Djokovic’s moment of triumph became a lifelong memory for Doherty, who kept the racket with her until December 2023, when she sold it at the auction for an amazing price surpassing $107,000 (Rs 95 lakh). The interesting story was revisited on social media by a popular Instagram handle and sparked a debate about whether the lady should’ve auctioned the racket or kept it as memorabilia.

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Fan Auctions Djokovic’s French Open Racket, Attract Mixed Reactions
While a section of internet users admired the smarts of Doherty, others felt she could’ve prioritised her love for tennis and Djokovic above her financial aspirations.
“She’s smart,” wrote a user.
Someone agreed, “For 107k yeah ofcourse İ would sell it.”
“I would frame it and keep it forever,” said a less supportive individual.
“Would have kept it. It is worth more than that and even more in the future – historic,” wrote another person.
Djokovic had hammered Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to win the 2016 edition of the French Open and completed a career Grand Slam with what was then the legend’s 12th major title.