The men's and women's singles finals at Wimbledon this weekend will see the winners receive two distinctly different trophies: the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy for the men's champion and the Venus Rosewater Dish for the women's champion. According to the All England Club, this is not a case of one prize being considered lesser, but rather a reflection of the separate traditions and histories behind each trophy.
Why Are There Two Separate Trophies?
The two trophies were chosen independently in the 1880s based on the aesthetic and social conventions of the time. Both are highly prestigious, historical artefacts rather than standard modern trophies. The women's winner receives the Venus Rosewater Dish, a sterling silver, partially gilded decorative platter first presented in 1886. At that time, giving an ornate, functional piece of silver tableware like a salver was a common Victorian-era custom for recognising excellence in women's sports.
Men's Singles Trophy Origins
The men's winner receives the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy, an 18-inch-tall silver-gilt cup commissioned in 1887. Before this, the tournament had 'Challenge Cups' that were given to winners permanently if they won the title three times in a row. Because the All England Club kept losing their trophies to repeat champions, they designed a new, permanent trophy that would never become the property of the winner.
Do They Get to Keep Them?
Winners of both events today receive a three-quarter-size replica to keep, while the original trophies remain permanently at the All England Club. The main takeaway is that the 'plate' and the 'cup' were chosen independently in the 1880s based on the aesthetic and social conventions of the time. While they look different, both are considered priceless pieces of tennis history.
