A collection of tennis memorabilia, including a racket famously broken by John McEnroe during one of his on-court outbursts and the shoes worn by Andy Murray when he won the 2013 Wimbledon men’s singles title, is set to be auctioned online. The sale, which showcases items spanning over three centuries of tennis history, is being conducted by Budds Auctioneers based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

The McEnroe rackets, which date from 1977 to 1980, were previously featured on a 2012 episode of the BBC’s Antiques Road Show. They were submitted by Sam Matthews, who explained that the rackets came into his family’s possession through his mother. She managed a block of flats near Wimbledon where McEnroe stayed during tournaments and had developed a personal rapport with the tennis star, even assisting with sewing sponsorship badges onto his shirts. When McEnroe left the residence, he gave her one broken racket, an unbroken racket, and other memorabilia as tokens of appreciation. One of the broken rackets bears a handwritten inscription from McEnroe that reads, “Thanks for the memories - good or bad!” These items are estimated to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.

Also included in the auction are the white Adidas shoes worn by Andy Murray when he defeated Novak Djokovic to become the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title since 1936. These shoes carry an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.

The auction catalog further features antique rackets with historical significance, such as those once owned by Antoine Henry Masson, a French world champion and racket-maker for King Louis XV. The event allows collectors and enthusiasts to explore a broad timeline of tennis heritage, linking past legends with contemporary icons.

The online auction will remain open until July 19, providing an opportunity for participants worldwide to acquire rare and historically important tennis artifacts.