Why do Wimbledon Ladies’ final winners receive a plate while men get a trophy? The Venus Rosewater Dish explained

WIMBLEDON winners’ names go down in history, and both the men and women are presented with a prize for winning the sport’s oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam.

The guys win a gold trophy, while the women receive a giant silver salver — here’s everything you need to know about the Venus Rosewater Dish, and why the rewards are different depending on the champion’s gender.

Simona Halep with the Venus Rosewater dish in 2019
Simona Halep with the Venus Rosewater dish in 2019Credit: PA

When was the Venus Rosewater dish made?

The Venus Rosewater dish was made by Birmingham silversmiths Elkington and Co in 1864.

And although it looks unique, it’s actually a replica of a plate by German metalworker Caspar Enderlein, which itself is a model of a 16th century pewter made by French carver Francois Briot.

So despite its interesting appearance, it is the third incarnation of the significant prize.

The dish is coloured in gold and silver and was made in Birmingham
The dish is coloured in gold and silver and was made in BirminghamCredit: Getty Images

She is surrounded by the four elements (earth, water, air, fire) while on the rim are the seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, music and astrology.

Women get a dish and men a trophy, in what some see as a relic of sexism
Women get a dish and men a trophy, in what some see as a relic of sexismCredit: PA:Press Association

When it was made, it was the height of modernity as it was made using a novel process called electroforming, due to the pewter industry’s slow decline.

Why a dish, rather than a trophy?

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.

The dish has been presented to the women's singles champion since 1886
The dish has been presented to the women’s singles champion since 1886Credit: Getty Images

Why do men get a trophy and women the Venus Rosewater dish?

The first Wimbledon championships were held in 1877, but only men were allowed to take part — with women first joining the championships in 1887.

The Venus Rosewater Dish was first presented in 1886, while the men’s singles champions have always received a gold cup with an inscription that reads: “The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Championship of the World”.

Names of former champions are engraved into the bowl of the cup, which comes alongside a black plinth with a decorated silver band — with the names of the ladies’ winners als engraved on the Venus Rosewater dish.

Women’s Wimbledon Champions from the past 20 years

  • 2023 Champion: Markéta Vondroušová (Czech Republic) — Runner-up: Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)
  • 2022 Champion: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) — Runner-up: Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)
  • 2021 Champion: Ash Barty (Australia) — Runner-up: Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic)
  • 2020 — Event cancelled due to the pandemic
  • 2019 Champion: Simona Halep (Romania) — Runner-up: Serena Williams (USA)
  • 2018 Champion: Angelique Kerber (Germany) — Runner-up: Serena Williams (USA)
  • 2017 Champion: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain) — Runner-up: Venus Williams (USA)
  • 2016 Champion: Serena WIlliams (USA) — Runner-up: Angelique Kerber (Germany)
  • 2015 Champion: Serena Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain)
  • 2014 Champion: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic) — Runner-up: Eugenie Bouchard (Canada)
  • 2013 Champion: Marion Bartoli (France) — Runner-up: Sabine Lisicki (Germany)
  • 2012 Champion: Serena Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Agnieszka Radwańska (Poland)
  • 2011 Champion: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic) — Runner-up: Maria Sharapova (Russia)
  • 2010 Champion: Serena Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Vera Zvonareva (Russia)
  • 2009 Champion: Serena Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Venus Williams (USA)
  • 2008 Champion: Venus Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Serena Williams (USA)
  • 2007 Champion: Venus Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Marion Bartoli (France)
  • 2006 Champion: Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) — Runner-up: Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL)
  • 2005 Champion: Venus Williams (USA) — Runner-up: Lindsay Davenport (USA)
  • 2004 Champion: Maria Sharapova (Russia) — Serena Williams (USA)

Related Posts

Then and Now: The Federer Twins’ Journey Through the Years!

In addition to his brilliant tennis career, “Express Train” Roger Federer is also admired for his happy marriage with his wife Mirka and two sets of twins, a boy and a girl. When Federer was at the peak of his career, his children Charlene Riva, …

Read more

Roger Federer Joins UNIQLO in Paris to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of the Iconic Japanese Fashion Brand!

  Tennis legend Roger Federer, a proud ambassador for UNIQLO, attended a press conference in Paris to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the renowned Japanese ready-to-wear brand. The event brought…

Read more

Andy Roddick says he wouldn’t ‘disagree’ if Jannik Sinner was suspended for his positive drugs test

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have just taken part in one of the best finals of the year, with the former continuing to compete at the highest level despite so much off-court turmoil. It’s truly amazing how he is able to compartmentalise amidst an …

Read more

Jannik Sinner Seals a Sweet Kiss with Anna Kalinskaya at the US Open Amid Controversy Over Nick Kyrgios’ Remarks!

Jannik Sinner sealed his U.S. Open victory with a kiss and many are trying to throw the special moment in Nick Kyrgios’ face. The world No. 1 outshined American Taylor Fritz in straight sets as he became the first Italian male to win the slam in …

Read more

Love and Tennis: Jannik Sinner and Anna Kalinskaya Enjoy Sun-soaked Days on an Italian Beach

About Photo #5058576: Jannik Sinner and girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya are enjoying some fun in the sun together! The 22-year-old Italian tennis player and the 25-year-old Russian tennis…Read More Here Posted to Anna Kalinskaya, Bikini, Jannik Sinner, …

Read more

Jannik Sinner sends instant message to Carlos Alcaraz on social media after losing the China Open final

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz put on a show for the onlooking Beijing crowd yesterday, delivering the showpiece final that many had been craving for so long. After all, throughout the year, various seedings have constantly put them both on the same …

Read more