Rafael Nadal 2011 Davis Cup Finals Racket | Photomatched to 2 Matches | Spain Championship Run

Babolat Employee

Sotheby's is proud to present this racket that Rafael Nadal used during the 2011 Davis Cup Finals, in which Spain took on Argentina at the Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja in Seville. This was matched to the final point in Nadal's match against Juan Monaco on December 2, 2011. Nadal won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. This racket was used in the championship clinching match against Juan Martín del Potro on December 4, 2011. Nadal won in 4 sets, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-0) to secure the Davis Cup.

Nicknamed the “King of Clay,” Rafael Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles, and 14 French Open Championships. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Nadal won the clinching match over Juan Martín del Potro, marking Spain’s third title in four years and its fifth overall triumph in the competition. The tie showcased one of Spain’s most dominant generations, led by Rafael Nadal alongside David Ferrer and Feliciano López, competing in front of a passionate home crowd.

Nadal played a decisive role throughout the weekend, delivering key victories in singles as Spain established control of the final. In the opening rubber, he produced a commanding straight-sets win over Juan Mónaco, setting the tone for the tie and giving Spain an early advantage. His presence remained central to the team’s momentum as Spain built an unassailable lead across the weekend.

Spain ultimately secured a 3–1 victory over Argentina, with Ferrer clinching the winning point to complete the triumph. The victory confirmed Spain’s dominance on clay and further strengthened Nadal’s legacy as a cornerstone of one of the most successful national teams in modern tennis.

Babolat dates their pro rackets based on when they were issued to players. This racket features an issue date sticker of May 2011.

This racket has been photomatched by SIA Photo Match. This racket is also signed by Nadal. This lot is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication in regards to the signature.

Going Deeper | Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal turned professional in 2001 and built one of the most decorated and clearly defined careers in tennis history. He finished with 22 Grand Slam titles, including an unmatched 14 French Open championships, and completed the career Grand Slam by winning all four majors at least twice. Nadal also held the world No. 1 ranking for 209 total weeks, finished five seasons as year-end No. 1 (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019), and won 92 ATP singles titles overall. His game was built around extreme topspin, physical endurance, and tactical discipline, allowing him to dominate clay while still winning multiple majors on hard courts and grass.

Several key moments define his career arc: his breakthrough win over Roger Federer in the 2005 French Open final, his landmark 2008 Wimbledon victory often regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played, and his late-career resurgence at the 2022 Australian Open, where he captured his 21st and 22nd majors after significant injury setbacks. Nadal also claimed Olympic gold in singles at Beijing 2008 and in doubles at Rio 2016, further reinforcing his success beyond the Grand Slams.

Coached for most of his career by his uncle Toni Nadal (through 2017) and later by Carlos Moyá, Nadal continually adjusted his game to manage recurring knee, foot, and hip issues. His rivalries with Federer and Novak Djokovic defined an era in which all three dominated the sport, but Nadal’s record at Roland Garros and his consistency over nearly two decades remain singular benchmarks in tennis history.