A tennis racket famously smashed by Wimbledon champion John McEnroe is poised to fetch up to £5,000 when it goes under the hammer later this month.
The wooden Wilson Pro Staff racket, used by McEnroe between 1977 and 1980, remains held together only by its strings – a testament to the seven-time Grand Slam winner’s fiery temper after he presumably disagreed with an umpire’s line call. It is not known whether his iconic catchphrase, “You cannot be serious?”, accompanied the moment of destruction.
The damaged piece of sporting history is being sold alongside another, fully intact, tennis racket during a timed auction by sports memorabilia specialists BUDDS, which is set to conclude on 19 July.
Both items are estimated to be worth between £3,000 and £5,000, having been gifted by McEnroe to a woman known only as Linda, who owned the accommodation where he stayed during his Wimbledon campaigns.
The smashed racket gained further notoriety in 2012 when Linda’s son, Sam Matthews, featured it on the Antiques Roadshow.
The programme also included an appearance from McEnroe himself, who confirmed he had used the racket before signing it.
He told the television show: “That was definitely a racket I played with. I know this is hard to believe but there were times when I got a little upset out there!” The item also includes a note to Linda Matthews from the tennis player turned commentator, which reads: “Thanks for the memories, good or bad!”
Meanwhile, Andy Murray’s Adidas trainers, worn during his historic 2013 Wimbledon victory, are also listed in the same auction and are expected to sell for up to £1,500.
Murray wore the trainers during his straight sets win over Novak Djokovic, a triumph that ended a 77-year wait for a British male Wimbledon champion. They are now being sold by the All England Club’s former head groundsman.
McEnroe remains on commentary duties at Wimbledon this year, a role he has held since hanging up his racket, while Murray was due to return to SW19 to be part of Jack Draper’s coaching team before Draper pulled out of his opening-round match due to injury.
