The damaged wooden Wilson Pro Staff racket, which McEnroe used between 1977 and 1980, remains held together only by its strings after the seven-time Grand Slam champion destroyed it in one of his trademark on-court outbursts.

The racket is among a collection of tennis memorabilia being offered by sports auctioneer BUDDS, with bidding due to end on 19 July. It will be sold alongside another McEnroe racket, which remains intact, with both expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000, RTE reports.

The items were originally gifted to the owner of the accommodation where McEnroe stayed while competing at The Championships, Wimbledon. The smashed racket is signed and inscribed: “Thanks for the memories, good or bad!”

Its authenticity was confirmed during an appearance on Antiques Roadshow in 2012, when McEnroe recognised the racket and joked: “I know this is hard to believe but there were times when I got a little upset out there!”

Also featuring in the sale are the Adidas trainers worn by Andy Murray during his historic 2013 Wimbledon victory over Novak Djokovic. The shoes, consigned by the former head groundsman at Wimbledon, are expected to fetch up to £1,500.