You’d think someone would say, “Hey, let’s replace the pineapple with a miniature tennis racket.” But tradition is a stubborn beast at Wimbledon. They still wear all-white. They still eat strawberries and cream. And they still have that weird fruit on the trophy.
In fact, the pineapple has become part of the trophy’s personality. It’s the humble finial that reminds everyone: yes, tennis is serious, but also—pineapple.
Wimbledon fans realize there is a pineapple on top of men's trophy
And here’s a quirky fact: the actual Wimbledon trophy (called the “Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy”) stands 18.5 inches tall. The pineapple takes up a solid 4 inches of that. That’s 21% pineapple by height. Novak Djokovic isn’t just lifting silver—he’s lifting 21% tropical fruit symbolism.
The Myth vs. The Truth
You might hear a myth that the pineapple represents hospitality. That’s true for pineapples in general (they were a symbol of welcome in colonial America). But at Wimbledon? The club never confirmed that.
Another myth: the pineapple acts as a sort of lid for the cup. It doesn’t. If you could unscrew it (you can’t, it’s welded), you’d find emptiness. No secret compartment. No hidden champagne. Just cold metal.
Sadly, you also can’t eat it. The trophy is solid silver, gilded in 24-carat gold. That pineapple has been shiny and inedible since 1887. A forever-fruit.
