Strawberries and pasta? Iga Swiatek's unique Wimbledon tradition
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Tennis fans with strawberry hats watch tennis during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Tennis fans with strawberry hats watch tennis during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
People eat their strawberries under an umbrella outdoors as the start of play is delayed due to rain during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after beating Danielle Collins of the U.S. during a third round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Tennis fans with strawberry hats watch tennis during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
LONDON (AP) — Strawberries hold a special place in Wimbledon tradition. But strawberries and pasta?
Iga Swiatek explained that it's a dish from her native Poland.
'Why is it such a big thing? Everybody should eat that,' a smiling Swiatek said after her third-round victory over Danielle Collins on Saturday. 'I think in summer kids are eating it a lot. I don't know. It's just a perfect mix of tastes.'
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The All England Club estimates that more than 35 tons of strawberries — usually with cream — are eaten each year during the two-week tournament. Spectators can buy strawberry-inspired merchandise all over the grounds.
The five-time Grand Slam champion posted a photo on her Instagram account that showed a bowl of pasta and strawberries with what appeared to be cream as well.
A journalist quizzed her about who has better strawberries, Poland or England?
'Honestly, I think Poland," Swiatek said. "Because we have better climate for strawberries, right? Now Wimbledon is probably going to ban me from answering these questions.'
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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