**Wimbledon Champion Iga Swiatek’s Trophy Moment Cut Short by Tradition Despite Record Victory**
Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek experienced the heights of sporting glory and the sting of tradition in a matter of moments this weekend, as she delivered one of the most dominant performances in Wimbledon history before having the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish taken from her mere hours after her triumph.
Swiatek, aged 24, dispatched American finalist Amanda Anisimova in stunning fashion, delivering a double bagel 6-0, 6-0 victory to claim her first Wimbledon women’s singles title. The match, which lasted under an hour, left spectators and commentators in awe, registering as the most one-sided women’s final in the tournament’s modern era.
Yet, amid celebrations that included a hefty £3 million in prize money and the honour of addressing British royalty, Swiatek soon discovered one of the All England Club’s time-honoured rites: the trophy she had fought so hard to win would not return home with her.
Despite the fanfare, Swiatek’s grip on the iconic, silver-plated Venus Rosewater Dish was always going to be temporary. While millions watched her hoist the trophy in front of Centre Court and walk triumphantly towards the clubhouse balcony, few outside the tennis world would know that champions do not keep the original. Instead, after a highly orchestrated photo opportunity with her team and trophy, the plate was quietly reclaimed by tournament officials.
Television coverage captured this bittersweet moment. BBC presenter Clare Balding voiced her joy at the sight of Swiatek holding the trophy, while commentator Tracy Austin noted the player’s beaming smile. However, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli was swift to highlight the reality behind the scenes, interrupting to clarify: “But she can’t keep it. You only get a replica. This one goes back into the trophy gallery.”
This tradition, unique to Wimbledon and steeped in over a century of heritage, means that the original Venus Rosewater Dish rarely leaves the hallowed grounds of the All England Club. Instead, winners are issued a three-quarters size replica, engraved with the names of past champions, to display at home—a keepsake, but never the true artefact.
Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Club, was reportedly the official tasked with retrieving the trophy from Swiatek after the ceremony, emphasising the strictly observed custom. Marion Bartoli commented playfully that Bolton’s approach is a rite of passage for every champion, saying, “You don’t go back home with that trophy, there is only one place and it stays in the trophy gallery at Wimbledon.”
This isn’t an experience unique to Swiatek alone. US tennis star Coco Gauff, after capturing the French Open title earlier this year, found herself in a similar situation. Gauff documented her own amusement at receiving a smaller-than-expected replica trophy on social media, poking fun at the tradition in a popular TikTok post.
British star Andy Murray, who missed this year’s Wimbledon, has also taken to social media in the past to voice his light-hearted dismay over the “tiny” size of replica trophies handed to Grand Slam champions. “Surely the tennis majors can do a better job with the replica trophies? They are tiny,” Murray once joked on Instagram, although he added a laughing emoji to emphasise the tongue-in-cheek nature of his remarks.
Swiatek’s spectacular win—securing her status as one of the sport’s contemporary greats—will be immortalised in the history books, even if the original trophy remains forever at Wimbledon. The smaller replica she takes home stands as a symbol of extraordinary achievement, but also a tangible reminder of the traditions woven through the fabric of this prestigious tournament.
While the world of sport often focuses on the drama and emotion of competition, Wimbledon’s strict traditions ensure that even its greatest heroes are grounded by the customs of the past. For Swiatek, her lightning-fast victory and brief encounter with one of sport’s most iconic trophies will certainly endure, both in memory and display cabinet—albeit in miniature form.