Smashed tennis racquets used by John McEnroe and the shoes worn by Andy Murray during his historic 2013 Wimbledon victory are set to go under the hammer.
The tennis memorabilia auction spans 300 years of tennis history, from the reign of Louis XV to the modern era.
Among the standout lots are two broken racquets used by McEnroe around 1977–80, which Wellingborough-based Budds Auctions say he later gifted to the owner of a property he stayed at in Wimbledon, to be close to the courts.
The racquets featured on a 2012 episode of BBC’s Antiques Road Show, where they were bought in by Sam Matthews.
He explained on the show: “My mum ran a block of flats where McEnroe used to stay. She got to know him well and even helped sew the sponsorship badges on his shirts.
“When he left, McEnroe handed this broken racquet to her along with an unbroken one and some other memorabilia as a sort of thank-you.”
One racquet bears the handwritten message: “Thanks for the memories – good or bad!” The racquets, which were previously featured on the BBC’s Antiques Road Show, are each estimated at £3,000 – £5,000.
Also included in the sale is a white and red tennis shirt linked to McEnroe, estimated at £400 – £600.
Andy Murray’s white Adidas tennis shoes from the Wimbledon 2013 final — in which he defeated Novak Djokovic to become the first British men’s singles champion since 1936 — are expected to fetch £1,000 – £1,500. The shoes are being sold by Wimbledon’s former Head Groundsman.
The auction also features items linked to Pat Cash’s 1987 Wimbledon victory, alongside rare 18th-century racquets owned by Antoine Henry Masson, the French world champion and racquet maker to King Louis XV.
The auction runs from June 28 to July 19.
