The Spaniard beat Djokovic on a court where the Serb had not lost in 10 years, on Sunday, July 16, with the UK tennis tournament drawing to a close for another year.
Royalty and celebs alike adorned the terrace of Centre Court to watch the showdown.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Men’s Single’s trophy.
Why is there a pineapple on the Wimbledon trophy?
No-one has ever officially confirmed why there is a pineapple on the top of the Wimbledon trophy, but many believe it is due to pineapples being a rare and exotic fruit in the late 19th century.
It was believed that those in ownership of one were wealthy and successful. Therefore, it may have been seen as a status symbol; a fitting emblem to be placed atop the prestigious trophy when the championships began on July 9, 1877.
The Wimbledon website states: “The most plausible explanation for the presence of this unlikely fruit atop the most prestigious trophy in tennis is that, when The Championships began in the latter half of the 19th century, pineapples were prized as a rare and exclusive food.
“Although Christopher Columbus brought a pineapple back from his 1492 expedition to the New World, pineapples remained expensive to import to, or grow in, western Europe, until commercial production began in Hawaii in the early 1900s. Serving them was thus an indication of high status.”
What is the Wimbledon trophy made of and what else features on it?
The Wimbledon trophy measures 46cm high and is made of silver gilt.
On it, you’ll see “The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Championship of the World” inscribed.
Every single Wimbledon champion’s name is engraved on the trophy, which dates back to the first winner Stephen Gore in 1877.
Winners from 2009 onwards feature on the black plinth underneath it, but players do not get to leave with the trophy.
Instead, each winner from 1949 onwards has been given a replica of the trophy to keep.
As a tennis enthusiast with a deep knowledge of the sport, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article about Wimbledon 2023. My expertise spans historical aspects, tournament details, and the symbolism behind the Wimbledon trophy.
Wimbledon 2023 featured notable surprises, including Andy Murray's early exit and an unforgettable final where Carlos Alcaraz, the underdog, triumphed over Novak Djokovic in a five-set battle on Centre Court. The event concluded with royalty and celebrities attending the showdown, and Princess of Wales presenting the Wimbledon championship trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.
Now, let's delve into the intriguing detail mentioned in the article: the pineapple on the Wimbledon trophy. While there's no official confirmation, historical context suggests that pineapples were considered rare and exotic fruits in the late 19th century. Owning a pineapple symbolized wealth and success. The Wimbledon website explains that, during the championship's inception in 1877, pineapples were prized as a luxury food item. The fruit's presence on the trophy may have served as a status symbol, representing exclusivity and high social standing.
Regarding the trophy itself, it stands at 46cm high and is made of silver gilt. The inscription reads, "The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Championship of the World." Every Wimbledon champion's name, dating back to the first winner in 1877, is engraved on the trophy. Winners from 2009 onwards are featured on the black plinth underneath it. However, players don't get to keep the original trophy. Instead, winners from 1949 onwards receive a replica to retain as a memento.
In summary, the Wimbledon trophy is not only a symbol of tennis excellence but also carries historical significance with the pineapple emblem, representing the luxury and rarity of the fruit during the championship's early years. If you have any specific questions or want more details on certain aspects, feel free to ask.
FAQs
But the fruit didn't become common in western Europe until the 20th century. At the time, to be presented with a pineapple at a feast was considered a major honour, and because Wimbledon is such a prestigious event, the All England Club believed that a pineapple was a status symbol and belonged on the trophy.
Why does Wimbledon trophy have a pineapple? ›
The Wimbledon website states: “The most plausible explanation for the presence of this unlikely fruit atop the most prestigious trophy in tennis is that, when The Championships began in the latter half of the 19th century, pineapples were prized as a rare and exclusive food.
What is the official fruit of Wimbledon? ›
Wimbledon's Strawberry Tradition Takes Root
The tradition of serving strawberries at Wimbledon dates back to the 19th century when the tournament first began.
Which trophy has a pineapple on top? ›
Eagled-eyed fans have noticed that on top of the prestigious Wimbledon trophy is a pineapple, prompting many to question its origins as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz compete for the prize on Sunday.
Why is the women's Wimbledon trophy a plate? ›
A pretty retrograde reason, really - as the role of women in much of the 19th century was primarily to oversee the domestic duties in the house. Given this was where they had the most power, the dish is often speculated to be a symbol of this - not the most equal of reasons and sometimes seen as a relic of sexism.
Why are strawberries eaten at Wimbledon? ›
The tradition was adopted early in Wimbledon's history, partly in response to the fashionability of strawberries in 19th-century London. After all, at the time they were available for only a few weeks a year — weeks that happened to coincide with a tennis tournament attended by the city's upper classes.
How many strawberries are eaten during Wimbledon? ›
Each year more than 38.4 tons of strawberries (1.92 million strawberries to be precise) and 445kg of raspberries are picked and consumed during the tournament. That's more than 140,000 punnets!
How much do strawberries cost at Wimbledon? ›
For the last 13 years, strawberries and cream have remained at £2.50 for visitors to the world's oldest tennis championships, which get underway on Monday. The number of strawberries - ten per punnet - has also not changed.
What is the most popular food at Wimbledon? ›
Strawberries and Cream is traditionally served at Wimbledon since its inception in 1877.
What is the signature food at Wimbledon? ›
The origins of the strawberries and cream at Wimbledon are thought to date back to the early 16th century, another classic English tradition.
– The trophy does not hold space for all Champions' names. It has the Champions' names from 1877 onwards engraved on it; from 2009 onwards, they are engraved on the plinth on which the trophy now sits. – Champions do not get to keep the trophy – they receive a replica to keep which is ¾ size.
Is the Wimbledon trophy pure gold? ›
The cup is a silver gilt cup with a lid and a pineapple on topper.
Is Wimbledon trophy taken home? ›
For virtually the entire year, it is safely housed in the Wimbledon museum before being brought out to the champion. The winner, in this case Alcaraz, is able to pose with the trophy for some photos before having to hand it back. They then in turn receive a replica that is three quarters the size of the real one.
Why can you only wear white at Wimbledon? ›
The short answer is “because it's in the dress code.” But it's in the dress code for a reason: namely, when the code was written in the genteel 1880s, sweat stains were considered so improper and unsightly that it was decided that white should be worn to minimize their visibility, as sweat is more apparent on colorful ...
How much does a Wimbledon trophy cost? ›
History of the men's single trophy
This is the third version of the Wimbledon men's singles trophy, with the first one costing £1 to acquire. The second one has been lost with no one aware of its whereabouts, while the third, which cost around £13,000, is the current trophy.
Why are white clothes only in Wimbledon? ›
In the 1880s, when the code was first written, it was frowned upon and considered improper to see a player wearing sweat-stained clothing. And because white was the color that least emphasized sweat stains, “tennis whites” became the standard attire for the affluent tennis players who participated at the tournament.
Why is it called the Venus Rosewater Dish? ›
The name "Venus Rosewater Dish" is thought to come from the fact that these dishes were originally created to hold 'rosewater' when used to wash the hands after eating. The Ladies' Singles Champion does not keep the actual trophy, which remains in the museum at the All England Club in SW19 year-round.
What fruit is on top of women's Wimbledon trophy? ›
YOU may have noticed that on top of the trophy is a miniature gold pineapple. Standing 18 inches tall, the inscription on the cup reads 'The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Championship of the World'.
Where do the strawberries for Wimbledon come from? ›
Marion Regan, owner of Hugh Lowe Farms in Mereworth, England. The farm, which has been in Regan's family for generations, supplies strawberries to Wimbledon. Shakhboz Yakhshiboev picks strawberries early in the morning to be delivered to Wimbledon. Most of the berries will be eaten within 24 hours.
