Rafael Nadal '21st Grand Slam' Australian Open Final Match Used Racquet | Matched to 12 Tournament Matches

Nicknamed the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal holds 22 Grand Slam titles to date, the most by any male player in the history of tennis. He is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.

Sotheby’s is proud to present this racquet used by Nadal as he won his record-setting 21st Grand Slam title at the 2022 Australian Open. Though best known for his unprecedented dominance on clay, Nadal’s record achievement took place on the hard court surface in Melbourne. The title moved Nadal past longtime rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for sole possession of 1st place on the all-time leaderboard for men’s singles Grand Slams. 

In a thrilling battle that tested the will and determination of both players, Nadal rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat 2021 US Open champion, Daniil Medvedev (2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5). 

Nadal used this racquet throughout the 2022 Australian Open including his matches in the 1st Round, 4th Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final. He defeated Marcos Giron, Adrian Mannarino, Denis Shapovalov, Matteo Berrettini, and Daniil Medvedev in each of those respective matches. 

The ‘King of Clay’ also used this racquet in the 2022 Mexican Open Semifinals along with all 6 matches he played at the 2022 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) including the Final. 

Altogether, Nadal used this racquet in 12 tournament matches highlighted by his historic victory in the 2022 Australian Open Final. He posted a dominant 11-1 record across the 12 matches.

The racquet has been photomatched by Resolution Photomatching to the following dates. It is accompanied by a photomatch letter and graphics. 

• January 17, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Marcos Giron (6-1, 6-4, 6-2) in the Australian Open 1st Round.

• January 23, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Adrian Mannarino (7-6, 6-2, 6-2) in the Australian Open 4th Round. 

• January 25, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Denis Shapovalov (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3) in the Australian Open Quarterfinals.

• January 28, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Matteo Berrettini (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3) in the Australian Open Semifinals.

• January 30, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev (2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5) in the Australian Open Final.

• February 25, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev (6-3, 6-3) in the Mexican Open Semifinals.

• March 12, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Sebastian Korda (6-2, 1-6, 7-6) in the BNP Paribas Open Round of 64.

• March 14, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Dan Evans (7-5, 6-3) in the BNP Paribas Open Round of 32. 

• March 16, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Reilly Opelka (7-6, 7-6) in the BNP Paribas Open Round of 16. 

• March 17, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios (7-6, 5-7, 6-4) in the BNP Paribas Open Quarterfinals. 

• March 19, 2022. Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos Alcaraz (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) in the BNP Paribas Open Semifinals.

• March 20, 2022. Taylor Fritz defeated Rafael Nadal (6-3, 7-6) in the BNP Paribas Open Final.

Resolution also made ‘Likely Photomatches’ to January 19, 2022 (Australian Open 2nd Round) and February 24, 2022 (Mexican Open Quarterfinal). 

Going Deeper | Rafael Nadal

Born in Manacor, a Spanish Island of Mallorca, Rafa began playing tennis at the age of three and was coached by his uncle and former professional tennis player, Toni Nadal. 

Rafa turned professional at 15, and at 17 he became the youngest male since Boris Becker to reach the third round of Wimbledon. In 2005, Rafa stepped onto the clay courts of the French Open for the first time. He would go on to defeat Mariano Puerta and claim his first Grand Slam victory, at 19 years old. The victory catapulted him to the ranking of third best men’s tennis player in the world.

Rafa went on to win every French Open for the next three years, marking four consecutive French Open titles (2005-2008). He was subsequently referred to as the 'King of Clay'.

In 2008, he won both the French Open and Wimbledon against world number one, Roger Federer. That year he also took home the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics, earning the coveted number one ranking.

For the next decade-plus, Nadal’s intense on-court rivalries with Federer and Novak Djokovic captivated the world of tennis. From 2017-2020, the three stars combined to win 13 consecutive Grand Slam titles. 

Federer ultimately won the race to 20 Grand Slams with his victory at the 2018 Australian Open. Nadal equalled the tally after winning the 2020 French Open. But Djokovic won the first three Grand Slams of 2021 to join his rivals at 20 Grand Slams apiece.

Nadal’s marathon victory at the 2022 Australian Open placed him alone atop the leaderboard, a position he still holds today. 

Aside from his 14 French Open titles, Nadal has won the US Open four times, Wimbledon twice, the Australian Open twice, and now holds the record for the most men's singles Grand Slams by a player in the Open era.