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15 Tennis Treasures That Span 400 Years of Style and Sport

  • Aug 16, 2025
  • 6 min read

From the grass courts of Wimbledon to the Chanel runway, tennis has served up far more than just Grand Slam dreams. At Christie’s, the sport of precision and elegance has been immortalised in luxury collectibles, heritage keepsakes and contemporary artworks that capture the game’s style and spirit.


Left: Jonas Wood (b. 1977), French Open 3, 2012. Gouache, ink and colored pencil on paper. 60 ½ x 40 ⅞ in (153.7 x 103.8 cm). Sold on 13 November 2019 at Christie’s in New York. Right: Circle of Cornelis de Vos (1585-1651), Portrait of a girl, half length, holding a tennis racquet. Oil on canvas. 22¾ x 18¼in (57.7 x 46.3cm). Sold for $32,200 on 30 January 1997 at Christie’s in New York

As the world gears up for another thrilling US Open, we look back at 15 standout objects that have aced the auction block.

  1. Roger Federer’s 2007 Wimbledon whites 

Roger Federer's champion outfit and racket, The Championships, Wimbledon, 2007. Sold for £187,500 on 22 June 2021 at Christie’s in London

Roger Federer’s 2007 Wimbledon ensemble — worn during his legendary five-set victory over Rafael Nadal — was the top lot in a 2021 charity auction benefiting the Roger Federer Foundation. Celebrated for his grace and dominance, Federer wore an all-white Nike outfit with gold accents during the match widely considered one of the greatest ever played. The signed set, including his Wilson racket, sold for £187,500, more than triple its high estimate.

  1. Andy Warhol’s portrait of Chris Evert

Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Chris Evert [Sixteen Works], 1977. Acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas. Each: 10 x 10 in (25.4 x 25.4 cm). Sold for $735,000 on 12 June 2020 at Christie’s Online. © 2025 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS)

Commissioned by the noted collector and sports fan Richard L. Weisman, Andy Warhol’s Athletes series comprised dozens of portraits of the 1970s’ biggest sports stars, from Muhammed Ali and Jack Nicklaus to Chris Evert, seen here. Warhol created 38 portraits of Evert, racket in hand. One of the greatest tennis players of all time, Evert also made fashion history when she popularised the term ‘tennis bracelet’ after her beloved pavé chain fell from her wrist during the 1978 US Open.

  1. Billie Jean King’s Wimbledon trophy 

Billie Jean King's Ladies Doubles Wimbledon trophy, 1971. Sold for £9,000 on 26 June 2006 at Christie’s in London

This Wimbledon trophy, awarded to Billie Jean King for her 1971 Ladies Doubles victory with Rosie Casals, represents more than a centre court win. A 39-time Grand Slam champion and tireless advocate for gender equality, King helped pave the way for generations of women athletes. From founding the Women’s Tennis Association to her iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ win, her legacy endures — including at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center bearing her name. 

  1. Serena Williams’ game-worn sneakers by Virgil Abloh 

Serena Williams may be the most decorated woman in tennis history, but her impact extends far beyond the court. Known for her bold fashion sense, Williams wore these glittering Nike Court Flare 2 sneakers designed by Virgil Abloh during the 2018 US Open final. Fusing streetwear cool and sporting elegance, the signed shoes were sold in 2021 as part of Le Coeur des Stars bat pour ELA, a charity auction whose proceeds went to the European Leukodystrophies Association.

  1. A rare racket from the dawn of lawn tennis

A presentation real tennis racket, Brouaye, 1858. Sold for £19,200 on 16 November 2005 at Christie’s in London

Dating to 1858, this antique tennis racket is a remarkable relic from earlier days of the sport. Crafted by Brouaye in France, it features a distinctive lopsided head and elongated handle — once the preferred style for serious players. With natural gut strings and silver detailing, the exceptionally rare racket offers insights into the sport’s storied evolution. 

  1. Jonas Wood’s Grand Slam series

Jonas Wood (b. 1977), All Blue Australian Open, 2012. Oil and acrylic on linen. 60 x 37⅞ in (152.5 x 96.2cm). Sold on 11 February 2016 at Christie’s in London

Jonas Wood’s Grand Slam series transforms tennis courts into vibrant, geometric abstractions. Stripping away players and crowds, his paintings of centre court at each Grand Slam focus on the stadium’s shapes and colours, creating a dynamic sense of anticipation. An avid sports fan, Wood channels his love for athletics and contemporary pop art style to capture the rhythm and energy of tennis.

7. Chanel on-court, courtesy of André Leon Talley

Chanel, A tennis racket, c. 2000. Sold for $4,410 on 16 February 2023 at Christie’s Online

Once owned by fashion icon and noted tennis enthusiast André Leon Talley, this rare Chanel-branded tennis racket blends utility with luxury. With interlocking Cs and a quilted leather grip, the racket reflects Talley’s unmatched personal style and ability to elevate everything he touched.

  1. Théo van Rysselberghe’s Impressionist court scene

Though influenced by fellow neo-Impressionists like Paul Signac and Georges Seurat, Théo van Rysselberghe developed his own distinct style. In À Thuin (1889), also known as La Partie de tennis, we see his mature pointillist visual language in full bloom. The painting captures women’s increased participation in sports in the late 19th century. One of his most important works, this was acquired directly from the artist by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and remained in his possession until his death.

  1. Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam gear, timepiece included

This lot package featured Novak Djokovic’s signed Head racket from his historic Cincinnati Open final — a win that made him the first man to claim all nine ATP Masters titles — alongside his personal, limited-edition Seiko Astron GPS Solar World Time watch. With proceeds from the sale supporting the Novak Djokovic Foundation, both items embodied Djokovic’s poised X factor on-court and off. 

  1. Tennis in the age of Old Masters

Circle of Cornelis de Vos (1585-1651), Portrait of a girl, half length, holding a tennis racquet. Oil on canvas. 22¾ x 18¼in (57.7 x 46.3cm). Sold for $32,200 on 30 January 1997 at Christie’s in New York

Tennis began in medieval France and, by the 16th century, had become a popular pastime among Europe’s elite. Courts were built at royal and aristocratic estates, and the game became a marker of status. Dating to the mid-1500s, this portrait from the circle of Flemish painter Cornelis de Vos shows a finely dressed young girl holding a tennis racket — a subtle symbol of class and privilege. Both rare and revealing, the painting offers an early glimpse into tennis’s role in society and its long and rich history.  

  1. Historic Davis Cup medals 

Founded in 1900 by Dwight F. Davis, the Davis Cup is one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions. Originally a challenge match between the United States and Great Britian, it now occurs annually between teams from over 150 countries. Each of these three gold medals were awarded to participants in the tournament’s early decades, including one from 1921, 1922 and 1925.  

  1. Wayne Thiebaud’s sweet spin on the sport

Wayne Thiebaud (b. 1920), Toweling Off, 1968. Oil on canvas. 29 ⅞ x 23 ¾ in (75.9 x 60.3 cm). Sold for $8,489,500 on 12 May 2021 at Christie’s in New York. © 2025 Wayne Thiebaud Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Known for his dessert paintings, Wayne Thiebaud also brought his layered style to tennis in Toweling Off (1968). This enigmatic painting of a tennis player holding a towel to her face is a unique example within Thiebaud’s oeuvre where equal attention is given to both the object and figure. Here, the towel obscures the player’s emotions, capturing a moment of quiet introspection. Painted with intense light and rich texture, the composition showcases Thiebaud’s painterly technique and earned over seven times its low estimate at auction.

  1. A comprehensive collection of press photographs 

Comprising approximately 410 vintage press photographs, this selection of images chronicles the golden age of tennis. Sourced from French and British press agencies, the archive includes rare images of icons such as Suzanne Lenglen and Henri Cochet alongside celebrity tennis moments featuring the Duke of Windsor and a young Shirley Temple. Spanning decades, the lot is a rich visual time capsule of the sport. 

  1. A Roland Garros Jaeger-LeCoultre watch

This rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, created specifically for the French Open, masterfully blends Swiss horology with tennis history. Likely presented by tennis legend René Lacoste to 1952 French Open winner Jaroslav Drobny, the iconic timepiece exemplifies the Reverso’s sporty elegance. Achieving over five times its low estimate at auction, it represents a prized collectible for both watch aficionados and tennis fans alike. 

  1. Victorian-era athletes, caught on camera 

The Manchester Racquet Club opened in May 1876 and hosted the Amateur Rackets championship from 1878 to 1882, and the Amateur Tennis championship from 1883 to 1887. In this photograph, 11 players from the amateur tournament pose on court, giving a glimpse into an earlier era of the sport and a striking contrast to the game as we know it today. 


ML Staff. Content/images courtesy of Christies. Click here for the latest Christies auctions

 
 
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