Record-breaking balls and rackets: when tennis becomes legend

There's a gesture that has become ritual, a moment eagerly awaited by fans in the stands and those watching at home. After a victory at a Grand Slam tournament, many tennis players sign the balls and toss them to the crowd, transforming a simple competition item into a piece of history. These balls, bearing the signatures of legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Jannick Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz , aren't just souvenirs; they're true pieces of sports memorabilia, capable of fetching quite astonishing prices among collectors. A ball signed immediately after a victory at the US Open or Wimbledon can be worth between €150 and €500, depending on its authenticity, the context (final or other round), and, of course, the player. Some balls, linked to epochal matches or legendary careers, can even exceed €1,000, especially if accompanied by certification or photographic documentation.

Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A ball signed by Carlos Alcaraz from the 2022 US Open, a turning point in his career when he mesmerized fans with a stellar performance. The then 19-year-old prodigy secured his first major title by defeating fifth-ranked Norwegian Casper Ruud in a thrilling match that ended 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3. The signed ball, a Wilson Tennis Ball, from this victory fetched $1,524 from an estimate of $500 to $1,000 at Sotheby's Zenith Sports Artifacts sale in April 2024, and the lot was accompanied by a James Spence Authentication (JSA) letter of the signature.

Prices were lower on Catawiki, where a ball signed by Jannik Sinner during the ATP Finals in Turin 2024 sold for 270 euros, while on eBay, the Italian tennis player's victory at the 2024 Australian Open, authenticated by JSA, was on sale for around 350 dollars.

Other more standard lots, those not tied to major events, still with PSA or ACOA authentication, have achieved lower prices ranging from $18 to $74. This data shows how value depends on context, authentication, and connection to important matches: a Sinner ball from a Grand Slam final can reach and even exceed €300, while a common one, even authenticated, drops to just a few dozen euros. In Italy, Bolaffi offers tennis memorabilia, but there are still few options, mostly for clothing, caps, and balls, at very reasonable prices, under €500.

Rackets used during tournaments or historic moments are among the most sought-after items. Older rackets, such as those of Björn Borg, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi, can range in value from $5,000 to $40,000, depending on their condition and available documentation. In 2007, at a Christie's auction, the racket used by Björn Borg in the 1981 Wimbledon final, won by John McEnroe, sold for £13,200, against an estimate of £5,000 to £8,000. Uniquely, all of Borg's personal rackets had a "D" stamped on the strings. If, however, you're interested in a racket used in a match by Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, the price can exceed $50,000. At Sotheby's in 2024, the racket used by Djokovic when he beat his long-time rival Roger Federer in the 2015 US Open final sold for $53,000, against an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000.