The racket used by Novak Djokovic in his 2012 Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal has sold for a record $540,000 at an auction, making it the most expensive tennis memorabilia ever sold publicly. The match, which lasted nearly six hours, was the longest Grand Slam final in Open Era history, with Djokovic winning in five sets. The racket, a HEAD Speed with an 18x20 string pattern and a 27-inch frame, was used during this historic match and was given to a fan sitting behind Djokovic's bench as a token of gratitude. SCP Auctions, which handled the sale, reported that the racket was professionally photomatched to key moments in the final, including championship point. The high bid surpassed the previous record for a Djokovic racket, which was $107,000 for a 2016 French Open final racket, and also exceeded the $173,000 paid for Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon racket in 2023. The auction coincides with Djokovic’s ongoing quest for his 25th Grand Slam title, as he prepares to face Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals. The sale highlights the significant value and historical importance of Djokovic's memorabilia in tennis history.