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

Jannik Sinner & Aryna Sabalenka Take NYC by Storm: Inside the US Open Champs’ Media Blitz

How do you celebrate a Grand Slam victory in a city like New York? For US Open winners Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, it apparently was less about splashing out and more about enjoying the simple things—like hamburgers and fries with the …

Read more

Novak Djokovic: WADA’s Appeal in Sinner’s Doping Case Puts Tennis in a Negative Spotlight

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesdsay October 2, 2024 Novak Djokovic says Jannik Sinner ’s ongoing appeal with the World Anti-Doping Agency is giving the sport a bad look. Speaking in Shanghai, where he will take his place the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic …

Read more

“Dumplings and Chinese language” may just be what Novak Djokovic needs for 100th title

This event marks Djokovic’s first tournament since Alexei Popyrin ended his title defense in the third round of the New York major (in between appearances, the Serbian led his nation to a Davis Cup World Group 1 win over Greece). With time to prepare, …

Read more

Young Maria Sharapova Exudes Grace in a Stunning Pose

At just 16 years old, Maria Sharapova has captured the world’s attention both on and off the tennis court. The young Russian prodigy, already a formidable presence in the tennis world, recently showcased her poise and charisma in a stunning …

Read more

Carlos Alcaraz found a level Jannik Sinner couldn’t reach in the Beijing final, their best match of 2024

It didn’t start well for Alcaraz. Down 0-1, he ran so hard to track down a drop shot that he broke his shoes. When he lost the next point to go down 0-3, it looked like he had lost the match, too. But instead of appearing distraught or angry, Alcaraz …

Read more

Maria Sharapova and Her Most Unforgettable Love Affairs

Many people crept into Maria Sharapova’s heart very quickly and left just as quickly. It left many scars in the beautiful Russian tennis player’s emotions. Masha has loved many times and broken many relationships. Some of the Russian tennis player’s …

Read more