Rafael Nadal’s shirt from the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of the 2005 French Open has hit the auction block, with an estimate of $100,000.
If the match-worn shirt meets or exceeds its estimate, it could set a record for any tennis shirt sold publicly, a distinction currently held by Roger Federer’s 2009 French Open shirt and shorts, which sold for around $100,000 in 2021 (75,000 GBP).
The shirt, which is the first photo-matched tennis shirt worn by a Grand Slam champion to be sold at public auction, headlines The Tennis Auction’s summer auction, which ends August 4.
“This is the most significant tennis shirt that has ever come to auction by far,” the Tennis Auction founder Matt Cashin told cllct, adding tennis shirts are far more difficult to photo-match than other sports.
Worn during Nadal's first French Open title, it carries extraordinary significance in the history of the sport as well as Nadal’s career, which has been forever defined by his unprecedented dominance at Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles.
The shirt is also a historic part of the legendary rivalry between Nadal and Federer, as it was worn during Nadal’s semifinals victory in the first of their 14 meetings in Grand Slam matches.
“Nothing like this has ever been sold in tennis before so it’s exciting to see how this will do,” Cashin said.
The green sleeveless Nike shirt is arguably the most iconic fashion statement in the modern history of men’s tennis, with Nike even releasing a limited-edition throwback shirt honoring the outfit in 2024.
"His green-patterned sleeveless Nike T-shirt paired with 18-inch long white capris pants, also known as pirate pants, defied traditional tennis attire and quickly became one of the most iconic looks of his career," Tennis content creator and tennis fashion expert Liza West told cllct. "Ask any tennis fan to describe Nadal’s on-court looks, and they'll likely mention the unforgettable green and white shirt from 2005. That year, it was clear we were witnessing not just tennis history but fashion history in the making."
Throughout his career, Nadal has also been at the forefront of tennis fashion. Whether it be his outlandish outfits early in his career or his sleek and flashy kits as tennis' elder statesman, the rest of the tennis world keeps an eye on what Nadal trots out.
"For many years, he sported this same style in various bright colors—a preference he still maintains today, as he enjoys wearing vibrant shades because they are "happy colors." As Nadal’s trophy cabinet grew, that look became even more iconic and synonymous with his success, even if his current style looks quite different from the OG Rafa of 2005," West said. "No one could pull off that look quite like Rafa, which is why even to this day, the most fashionable of on-court personalities don't dare imitate the on-court style of the legend that is Rafael Nadal."
Tennis memorabilia is rarely in the spotlight, with the most prominent sale occurring in 2021, when Federer auctioned off a selection of his match-worn shirts and sneakers at Christie’s. But for the most part, the landscape for tennis collecting has been scatter-shot and muted.
The Tennis Auction has led the charge to change that, now in the midst of its fourth auction since September 2023. Along the way, each of the tennis-focused auction house has achieved a significant headline sale in each auction, including Nadal’s match-used racket from championship point in the 2007 French Open final against Federer, which sold for a record $118,206 in January.
“More and more people, particularly tennis specific fans, are learning about tennis memorabilia recently. Many bidders in the recent auctions are newcomers to collecting tennis memorabilia,” Cashin said.
As more exposure brings in more of a spotlight, Cashin has seen prices rise, referencing a previous auction in which a pair of Iga Swiatek shoes sold for almost $9,000, a price he wouldn’t have though possible just a year or two ago.
Joining the Nadal shirt are 11 other lots of tennis memorabilia, including a 1955 U.S. Open singles runner-up trophy, Federer’s 2007 Australian Open match-worn shirt and Carlos Alcaraz’s 2022 Madrid and French Open match-used rackets.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.