Tennis ace Novak Djokovic has been given a special golden racket weighing a whopping 17.6 lbs and made using 24-karat gold.

The Serbian tennis player, who recently won his 23rd Grand Slam, the only person to do so, was surprised by the gesture after receiving the unique gift from the American-Austrian manufacturer of sports equipment Head.

The company, which sponsors Djokovic, gave him the golden tennis racket, which reportedly weighs 8 kilogrammes (17.6 lbs).

Some reports indicated that the racket was built around a bronze frame as gold would be too soft for the whole racket, but the rest of the racket, including the handle, was reportedly made from 24-karat gold,

Unveiling the gift, a Head spokesman added: “Still surreal. We can’t stop reminiscing about Novak’s achievement.

“To celebrate his great success and special moment, we have organized an artist to create a golden replica of @djokernole’s racquet”.

They added: “The trophy was made specifically for Novak’s new record #23rd Grand Slam”.

‘Head Tennis’ also released photographs of Djokovic and his family holding the golden racket.

One photograph shows Djokovic, 36, and his wife, Jelena Ristic, 37, holding the racket along with their two children, Stefan, 8, and Tara, 5.

Djokovic won his record 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the French Open on 11th June with a 7-6(1) 6-3 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud in the final.

He is currently ranked World Number 1 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).