LONDON — Rising tennis star Holger Rune has made headlines not just for his on-court performances but for an unusual off-court decision: selling his smashed racket from Wimbledon for an eye-watering sum. The Danish sensation, currently ranked in the ATP top 10, has listed several pieces of memorabilia for auction, including the racket he destroyed during a heated match at the All England Club.
The Infamous Racket Incident
Rune, known for his fiery temperament, drew attention during his third-round Wimbledon clash when he obliterated his racket after a contentious line call. The moment, captured in slow-motion replays, showed the 21-year-old slamming the racket repeatedly against his bench until it snapped. "I lost my cool, and I regret it," Rune later admitted in a post-match interview. "But sometimes emotions take over in high-pressure situations."
The racket, now listed on a high-end sports memorabilia site, carries a starting bid of £5,000 ($6,300) and has already sparked a bidding war among collectors. Auction experts predict it could fetch upwards of £15,000 ($19,000) due to Rune’s rising profile and the notoriety of the incident. "This is memorabilia with a story," said auctioneer James Harrington.
Clearing Out the Wardrobe
The racket isn’t the only item up for grabs. Rune is also auctioning off:
- A match-worn Nike outfit from his 2023 Paris Masters victory
- Signed wristbands from his breakout 2022 season
- A limited-edition tournament bag from this year’s Australian Open
Rune explained the decision in an Instagram post: "I’ve accumulated so much gear over the years, and I wanted to give fans a chance to own a piece of my journey. Plus, the proceeds will go to my foundation supporting young athletes."
Why the High Price Tag?
Sports memorabilia analyst Sarah Chen weighed in: "Rune’s marketability is skyrocketing. He’s young, charismatic, and unafraid to show emotion—traits that resonate with fans. A destroyed racket from a Grand Slam? That’s gold for collectors." The auction coincides with Rune’s recent partnership with a luxury watch brand, further boosting his commercial appeal.
Fan Reactions
The response has been mixed. Some fans applaud Rune’s transparency and charity angle, while others criticize the move as opportunistic. Tennis forum user "AceKing" wrote: "Paying thousands for a broken racket? I’d rather buy front-row tickets." Others, like collector Marco Silva, see it as an investment: "In 10 years, this could be worth triple."
What’s Next for Rune?
With the US Open approaching, Rune remains focused on his game. His coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, told reporters: "Holger’s passion is what makes him special. We’re channeling that energy into his training, and fans will see a more disciplined version of him in New York." Whether the auction marks a trend or a one-off remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Rune knows how to stay in the spotlight—on and off the court.
The auction closes on August 30, just days before the US Open begins. For now, the tennis world watches to see if the smashed racket becomes the most expensive piece of broken equipment in sports history. As Rune himself quipped: "Maybe I should’ve broken more rackets earlier!"