The 2023 ATP tour has seen Novak Djokovic turn back the clock. He has been on top of his game from the start of the season and has always delivered on the big stages. Djokovic has played 1300 matches in his career so far and is only 13 matches away from securing 1100 wins. This year, his form was breaking records, and now his racket has joined the list.
The racket that Djokovic used at the 2016 French Open has created a new milestone in the sport. The world No. 1 had completed an iconic career slam at the event and threw his racket into the crowd. A fan had caught the racket and now, seven years later, decided to give it up for auction. At the SCP auctions, the fan started with a base price of $10,000, but it was sold for $107,482.
$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
With a mind-blowing price, it is now the most expensive racket in tennis history. The Serbian had won his first French Open title in 2016 while beating Andy Murray in the final. Djokovic had lost three finals prior to the 2016 championship, but on that day, he finally captured all four slams. The French Open has a special place for Djokovic, and he will defend the title in the 2024 season.
Novak Djokovic is on his way to a record appearance at the French Open
The 2024 French Open will see Djokovic compete at the event for the 20th successive year. He has never missed the event since making his Grand Slam debut in 2005. It will be the first slam where Djokovic has made the main draw 20 times. He is seeking a fourth title and is the favorite to win the trophy. The 36-year-old is seeking a historic 25th grand slam title next season.
Djokovic will also look to extend his winning streak at the French Open. His current record of an 11-match winning streak was achieved in 2017 and 2022. Djokovic is five wins away from setting a new benchmark for himself. He is also eight wins away from winning 100 matches in the event and has played 108 matches so far. There are still almost six months to go before the French Open begins.
Has Novak Djokovic been at the French Open R3 since 2006 till today?
✅2006
✅2007
✅2008
✅2009
✅2010
✅2011
✅2012
✅2013
✅2014
✅2015
✅2016
✅2017
✅2018
✅2019
✅2020
✅2021
✅2022
✅2023 pic.twitter.com/gI248wOJy5— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) May 31, 2023
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has made the most quarterfinal appearances at Roland Garros. Djokovic has 17 quarterfinal appearances, while Rafael Nadal has 16. The consistency is seen on all surfaces in Djokovic’s game. Next year, Nadal will be playing at the French Open for the last time and will hope to end his career with a classic clash against Djokovic.