Rafael Nadal’s 2010 US Open Finals Jersey Sold for a Record $72,000

SCP Auctions brokered the sale of the jersey worn by Rafael Nadal during his historic victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2010 US Open final. It was the first meeting of both tennis players in a Grand Slam final.

Including buyer’s commission, the jersey — whose image was matched by Sports Investors Authentication — sold for $72,000, the most ever paid for a match-worn tennis jersey.

“Rafa is beloved by sports fans around the world for his toughness, resilience and class, a true champion both on and off the court,” Brendan Wells, vice president of acquisitions and sales at SCP Auctions, told ESPN. “This record-breaking price proves his legacy resonates with collectors (and) highlights the importance of the seminal photographic match and the rise of tennis in the game.”

Wells also noted that the 2010 US Open may have been the most important victory of Nadal’s career: It was Nadal’s ninth Grand Slam title but his first US Open, meaning it gave him a career Grand Slam at the age of 24 years, 3 months and 10 days, making him the youngest man to do so. (Serena Williams was 21 in 2003 when she completed a career Grand Slam, and Steffi Graf was 19 in 1988 when she completed hers. Graf also won Olympic gold in 1988 to complete the Golden Slam, the first in history. On Sunday, Djokovic joined that club with Graf, Andre Agassi, Nadal and Williams.)

Nadal didn’t lose a set at the U.S. Open until the final, beating Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. The jersey was purchased by collector Rob Gough, who made a splash in the collectibles industry when he purchased a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded 9 by PSA, for $5.2 million in January 2021. Gough and other high-profile collectors say the match memorabilia industry is undervalued and on track for explosive growth.

“Acquiring this jersey, worn by Rafael Nadal during his 2010 US Open victory, is like holding a piece of sports history in your hands,” Gough told ESPN. “It’s a moment that commemorates Nadal’s dominance at the peak of his career, as he becomes the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam and the first to achieve a surface Slam (clay, hard and heavy court titles in the same season).”

Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles are the second most among men, behind Djokovic’s 24. On the women’s side, only Margaret Court (24) and Williams (23) have more. Graf also has 22.

“These iconic pieces of memorabilia from historic achievements embody the essence of greatness and are a testament to the enduring legacy of a gamer,” Gough said. “These game-used items are undervalued, but as time passes and an appreciation for the history of the sport deepens, the value of such artifacts will only increase.”

That could happen sooner rather than later for Nadal’s items: A photo-matched jersey that the 19-year-old Nadal wore in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the 2005 French Open, his first Grand Slam and the first of a record 14 French Open titles, is currently up for auction by Prestige Memorabilia. It’s currently worth just over $40,000.