Novak Djokovic's 2012 Australian Open Racket Sells for Record, Used to Beat Rafael Nadal in Final

While he fell short in the 2026 Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic managed to claim at least one record over the weekend.

According to The Athletic's Larry Holder, the racket Djokovic used in the 2012 final against Rafael Nadal in Melbourne sold for $540,000 at auction.

That's the highest auction price ever paid for a piece of tennis memorabilia, eclipsing an Alcaraz trading card that went for almost $238,000 in June.

SCP Auctions said the racket on offer was photo-matched as the one Djokovic used in not only the final but also the quarterfinals and semis.

The 2012 Australian Open was the third time the 38-year-old triumphed down under, and it was his fifth Grand Slam title overall. He and Nadal combined for an instant classic that's considered one of the best finals in recent memory.

They needed almost six hours before Djokovic put the finishing touches on a 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5 victory.