Roger Federer memorabilia nets $4.7m at auction

Collection most important single-owner lot of sporting memorabilia to come to market, according to Christie's

A Christie's technician poses next to a mannequin wearing Roger Federer's kit and racket used in the Davis Cup, 2014, in London during a live auction last month. AP

Roger Federer may have seen his dreams of Olympic gold dashed this week, but he can celebrate that t-shirts, racquets, and shoes from his trophy-laden tennis career proved a treasure trove at auction.

The sports legend saw every single item that went under the hammer at a two-phased Christie's auction sold, raking in £3.4 million ($4.7m).

The combined proceeds from an online and a live auction - over three times more than the target - will go to the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports educational projects in southern Africa and his native Switzerland.

"I am overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of the support from around the world," Federer said in a statement.

The auction of items the 20-time Grand Slam winner's career happened in two phases.

A Christie's employee poses with Swiss tennis Roger Federer's racket used at the London Olympics 2012 at Christie's in London last month during a live auction.

A Christie's technician holds up one of Swiss tennis player Roger Federer's signed Champion tennis balls from Madrid, 2012 at Christie's in London.

A Christie's technician poses next to a model wearing Swiss tennis player Roger Federer's kit and racket used in the Davis Cup, 2014 on display, at Christie's in London.

Christie's technicians handle a signed Nike sneaker which is part of Swiss tennis player Roger Federer's champion kit worn at the French Open, 2009.

Christie's employees pose for photographers next to a mannequin wearing an outfit and racket used by Swiss tennis player Roger Federer during the 2009 French Open at the Christie's auction house, in London.

A Christie's employee poses with Swiss tennis champion Roger Federer's Nike Air Jordans shoes from the 2014 US Open at the Christie's auction house, in London.

A pair of training shoes worn by Roger Federer on display during "The Roger Federer Collection" auction photocall at Christies in London.

An assistant poses with Swiss tennis champion Roger Federer's cardigan and racket from Wimbledon 2012 (left) and rackets from the Olympics 2012 (right) during a photocall at Christie’s auction house in central London.

A Christie's employee poses with Swiss tennis Roger Federer's outfit used at the US Open 2018 at the Christie's auction house, in London.

A live sale on June 23 in London focused on Federer's career at the four Grand Slams: Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Opens.

The subsequent online sale from June 23 to July 14 featured 300 lots from other tournaments spanning 21 years - dating back to his first Olympics appearance at the Sydney 2000 Games, aged just 19.

The items sold online found buyers from 44 countries and across six continents, Christie's said.

The highlight of the online sale was a set of three rackets used at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, which sold for £162,500 - more than 23 times above estimate.

"The prices achieved have been unbelievable," Federer said.

"We started collecting items which accompanied me on court because we thought that perhaps one day we could do something meaningful with them," he said.

He said he and his wife Mirka were "humbled to see that the decision we made will make a profound difference to so many children."

The Roger Federer collection was the most important single-owner lot of sporting memorabilia ever to come to market, a Christie's representative said.

Federer, who turns 40 on August 8, had been hoping to secure his first Olympic singles gold medal at the upcoming Tokyo Games, but announced Tuesday he had withdrawn after a "setback" in his recovery from a knee injury.