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Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Wimbledon's Strawberry Fever Translates To Retail Success
The strawberry cap sold out during Wimbledon 2025 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. ... More (Photo by) World No. 2 Coco Gauff held a strawberry plush toy during a press conference at Wimbledon, giving the tournament—and the toy—quite a social media moment. World No. 1 and Wimbledon 2025 semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka had the toy attached to her racket bag. It didn't take long for strawberry fever to catch on in London. As the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon has a storied history. Strawberries have long been linked to the event and while eating strawberries and cream is a certain rite of passage at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the tournament has started to press in to all things strawberries to help push retail sales at the site. A strawberry plush toy was a popular attraction at Wimbledon 2025, selling out during the tournament ... More at London's All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (Photo by) Daniel Ashmore, AELTC head of retail, merchandising and licensing, tells me that the strawberry plush, strawberry-themed socks and strawberry-adorned baseball caps all sold out during the tournament. 'Our strawberry-themed product range has grown by 39% since 2024, following strong early sell-through and customer engagement,' Ashmore says. 'We've enhanced best-selling lines with additional size options—for example, infant hats—and launched new products, such as the strawberry character plush toy.' It turns out that 2025's strawberry range wasn't enough to keep up with the strawberry-loving crowd at Wimbledon. Wimbledon has an extensive range of products for sale each tournament, but the champs towel (seen in ... More the photo) was the top-selling item in 2025. For 2025, strawberry fans could grab a cap or bucket hat, sweaters, T-shirts, sweatshirts, baby clothing, kitchen items and even greeting cards. It all adds up to giving Wimbledon a fresh range of tournament-adjacent products to compliment the already popular main line of Wimbledon-themed merchandise. While the craze over the strawberry-themed retail items took the retail side of the tournament by storm, the top-five-selling items during the event remained in line with tradition, just like the tournament itself. The number-one-selling item was the classic 2025 champs towel, with nearly 13,000 towels sold. This item is the classic green and purple towel players—including 2025 Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek—are known to hoard, adorned with the year of the tournament. The fifth-best selling item was also a towel, with just over 9,000 of the seasonal 2025 champs towel—this one comes in a different shade of blue and green—sold during the tournament. A range of fashion pieces for both men and women came adorned with a more subtle nod to the ... More strawberry at Wimbledon 2025. Holding the second, third and fourth spots on the top-five list were all different versions of the same hat design, the adults champs logo. The white version sold nearly 11,000 caps, ahead of the green at 9,700 and the navy at over 9,000. In all, the three colors of the same design totaled nearly 30,000 caps of just one item. With over 525,000 visitors to the tournament, over 5% of all spectators purchased one of the champs logo caps in 2025. The Wimbledon shop offers one of the more extensive collections of items across tennis, from the popular towels and caps to the trending strawberry-themed items, but also with plenty of fashion and performance items mixed in. The tournament grounds feature three main retail sites: the Centre Court Shop, the No. 1 Court Shop and the Museum Shop, along with five express shops and an additional nine kiosks. Wimbledon also ships worldwide via its online shop. For Wimbledon fans wanting their strawberries and cream to last a bit longer, the strawberry-themed retail options proved a popular choice in 2025. Expect Ashmore and the AELTC to embrace strawberry fever yet again in 2026. MORE: How Does Wimbledon Maintain Its Grass Courts?
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jannik Sinner's Wimbledon win gets flirty throwback tribute from Maria Sharapova: ‘It is only appropriate…'
Jannik Sinner clinched his first Wimbledon title in a gripping final against Carlos Alcaraz, marking a historic moment in his career. Joining fans in celebrating the victory, tennis legend Maria Sharapova shared a playful tribute by reposting a fun dance video of herself and Sinner. Maria Sharapova commemorated Jannik Sinner win by sharing a 2019 dance video. Chris Raphael/AELTC/Pool via Reuters(Pool via Reuters) Also Read: Aaron Rodgers' hilarious three-word response after near miss with golf club: Watch Maria Sharapova shares a throwback dance video with Sinner Following Sinner's first Wimbledon title, Sharapova celebrated his victory with a little throwback video of their dance. In the clip, Sinner and Sharapova are dancing and singing to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. The couple filmed the video wearing their PJs and reindeer hats, as reported by ProFootballNetwork. Along with the reposted video, she wrote, 'It is only appropriate to bring this back to the top of the feed.' Her earlier tweet read, 'I knew that one day you'll regret this Congrats Champ!! patience, poise & class.' The video was originally posted during Christmas in 2019. Sharapova, at the time, shared the video after Sinner's Australian Open win in January 2024. Also Read: MLB All-Star Game 2025: When and where to stream? Netizens react to Sinner and Sharapova's adorable throwback video A user wrote on X, 'Had to check my eyes 2 times to confirm this is Sinner.' A second user wrote, 'Maria, you're the real MVP for hyping Sinner like this! Watching you dance and then him win made my day. Tennis magic in full effect!' A third user wrote, 'The best congratulations post.' One user wrote, 'At this rate, he'll never live it down lol,' while another wrote, 'Two dopers lowkey. I love sinner tho.' The comment comes after Sinner was put under a ban for drug use. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that Sinner was inadvertently exposed to the banned substance clostebol during a massage by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, in March 2024. The contamination was deemed unintentional.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The uncomfortable truth behind this year's Wimbledon champions
A tradition once discarded but now an annual convention, the iconic dance between the men's and women's singles champions took place at the Wimbledon Ball on Sunday night. Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, two natural introverts, smiled and laughed their way through a shake and a twirl at the Raffles London hotel in Whitehall. It was an endearing sight. Both were well-deserved first-time champions at the All England Club in their respective finals over the weekend. Sinner downed his arch rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, five weeks on from his French Open heartbreak, while Swiatek claimed the first double bagel in a Wimbledon final in 114 years. Advertisement But both, inescapably, had an elephant lurking in the corner of the ballroom. Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek both tested positive for banned substances last year (AELTC via Getty Images) Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek both tested positive for banned substances last year (AELTC via Getty Images) Last year, to the shock of the sporting world, Sinner and Swiatek failed drug tests. Sinner twice tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol, first at the Indian Wells Masters tournament in March 2024 and then in an out-of-competition sample eight days later. The case was only made public four months later, prior to the US Open, when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing. By February of this year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) entered a 'case resolution agreement' with Sinner, handing him a three-month suspension. Sinner accepted the offer, keen to avoid a lengthy legal battle. Advertisement WADA accepted the cause, which read that Sinner's physiotherapist Giocomo Naldi cut his finger on a scalpel and used a spray, which was 'easily available over the counter in any Italian pharmacy', containing clostebol to treat his finger. Naldi than gives Sinner a daily full-body massage and the Italian player later tested positive. As for Swiatek, the Pole accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August. It is a medication used to treat heart conditions, but Swiatek was found to have been 'at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence' by the ITIA. It only became public in November, after the 2024 season concluded. Swiatek explained that the positive test was caused by a contaminated supply of the non-prescription medication melatonin, which she uses to help with jet lag and sleep issues, provided to her by her physio. The product was contaminated during manufacturing, an investigation concluded, resulting in an extremely low trace of TMZ. In both cases, the reasoning has been accepted by the authoritative bodies involved. What is less digestible, for fans of the sport and various sections of the locker room, is the notion of preferential treatment for two of tennis's top players. Sinner celebrates his first Wimbledon title on Sunday but was banned for three months earlier this year (Getty Images) Sinner celebrates his first Wimbledon title on Sunday but was banned for three months earlier this year (Getty Images) Swiatek claimed her first Wimbledon crown with a stunning 6-0 6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova on Saturday (Getty Images) Swiatek claimed her first Wimbledon crown with a stunning 6-0 6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova on Saturday (Getty Images) Advertisement Swiatek's one-month ban covered the Asian swing of tournaments after last year's US Open. Sinner's three-month suspension this year took place between the Australian Open in January (which he won) and the French Open in May. He was even back a day before his home tournament, the Italian Open. Neither missed a Grand Slam. As such, it was not an uncommon viewpoint that it all looked a little too convenient. Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka stated he 'didn't believe in a clean sport anymore' after news of Sinner's three-month ban and the timing of it. World No 4 Jessica Pegula said after Swiatek's suspension that it 'seems so hit or miss with how people get punished.' Nick Kyrgios, rather more bluntly, lamented both cases, and simply posted an asterisk on X after Sinner's Wimbledon triumph on Sunday night. By contrast to Sinner and Swiatek, British doubles specialist Tara Moore was provisionally suspended for 19 months after testing positive for banned substances boldenone and nandrolone in 2022. The ITIA, eventually, accepted her testimony that she had eaten contaminated meat while competing in Colombia, but only in December 2023, by which point Moore had lost her ranking points and a heap of potential prize money. Tara Moore was provisionally suspended for 19 months (Getty Images) Tara Moore was provisionally suspended for 19 months (Getty Images) Advertisement 'I guess only the top players' images matter,' Moore wrote on X last summer, after Sinner's case became public. 'I guess only the independent tribunal's opinion on the top players is taken as sound and right. Yet, they question them in my case. Just makes no sense.' It would be far easier to overlook the muddy waters surrounding Sinner and Swiatek in the last year. Both showed exceptional technical and athletic skill in their triumphs on the grass of SW19 in the last fortnight. And both have their integrity intact, after episodes which will no doubt have kept them awake at night. But there is a genuine undertone of whether they, particularly Sinner, were fortunate to be competing at Wimbledon at all. To call the length of their suspensions, and their timing, favourable would be an understatement. For the winners of the most prestigious tournament in the world to have been shrouded in such contentious cases, in just the last 12 months, is a damaging and uncomfortable look for tennis.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton abandon's tradition at Wimbledon and ushers in 'new era'
Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton beamed as they arrived at the All England Club for the men's Wimbledon finals yesterday afternoon, but according to a body language expert, their appearance speaks volumes about their relationship dynamic. 'This very charming and unequivocal role-reversal by William and Kate showed beyond doubt how much the new era of monarchy will be based on equality rather than traditional status,' Judi James explains. Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10, also attended the games alongside their parents, dressed in their Sunday best as they greeted officials. Kate has been patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, also known as the AELTC (which organises the day-to-day running of the prestigious tournament), since 2016, Mirror UK reports. Judi, speaking on behalf of VBET ( believes it was clear this was 'Kate's event,' with William and their children 'very much her 'plus ones'.' As the family arrived at SW19, Kate was shown confidently greeting officials and engaging in lively conversation. William, meanwhile, walked behind with George and Charlotte, 'very much bringing up the rear,' says Judi. Far from any sign of tension, Judi observed that William's choice of outfit - a perfectly tailored blazer, tie and pocket square - appeared to be a subtle homage to the occasion and to his wife. 'His outfit showed loyalty and respect,' she said. 'Dressing for the occasion like this emphatically showed total respect for his wife and an ongoing desire to please her. Royal men tend to dominate the style mood of any event they appear at, but William's unique outfit here looked like an homage to both Wimbledon and to his wife.' In her striking cobalt blue dress, Kate took centre stage as she chatted with ease and introduced her family. 'There was an air of increased confidence here as she instigated conversations and turned occasionally to her family to explain details and introductions,' Judi adds. Meanwhile, William's body language projected a calm and supportive presence. 'He looked like a very compliant and proud 'plus one' to his wife here, with his hands clasped in front of his torso as he chatted. His eyelid-stutters and cut-off rituals hinted at a more passive approach than his confident and very popular wife.' Judi also noted that this dynamic is particularly significant for the monarchy's future. 'He even seems happy walking in her shadow. For him, it seems a matter of utter pride,' she adds. The Princess also attended Wimbledon solo on Saturday, presenting the trophy at the women's final. She sported her ' Wimbledon bow' - a brooch featuring the tournament's iconic colours - which it's believed she has worn every time she has visited Wimbledon.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek celebrate first Wimbledon wins with Champions' Dinner dance
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek celebrated their respective first Wimbledon triumphs at the traditional glitzy Champions' Dinner on Sunday night. Women's world No3 Swiatek crowned her best-ever run on grass with a maiden SW19 victory on Saturday, afternoon lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish after thrashing American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in less than an hour in her first final on Centre Court. Advertisement Never before in the modern Open Era of tennis had a player produced a ruthless double bagel to win the women's Wimbledon singles final, with Dorothea Lambert Chambers the last do to it all the way back in 1911 against Dora Boothby. It was a sixth Grand Slam success in total so far for the first Polish Wimbledon winner, who now just needs to win the Australian Open to complete the full set of major championships, having won four French Open titles since 2020 as the 'Queen of Clay' in addition to the 2022 US Open. That dominant victory was followed up 24 hours later by reigning men's world No1 Sinner, who responded to his agonising five-set defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros showpiece last month by toppling the back-to-back defending Wimbledon champion 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the latest instalment of their growing rivalry. Advertisement The Italian is now a four-time Grand Slam winner, having also won the Australian Open in back-to-back years in addition to last year's US Open. As is long-standing Wimbledon tradition, respective singles winners Sinner and Swiatek later got dressed up on Sunday night for the glamourous annual Champions' Dinner, which was held at the luxury Raffles London at The OWO, located in the heart of Whitehall. First-time winners: Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek pose with their trophies at the Wimbledon Champions' Dinner (AELTC via Getty Images) The duo again posed with their trophies that were initially presented on court over the weekend by The Princess of Wales, also honouring custom by sharing a short dance together, the footage of which has since been posted on social media by the official Wimbledon accounts. Advertisement Sinner and Swiatek danced together for around 20 seconds to the tune of Portugal. The Man's 2017 hit 'Feel It Still', with the host for the evening joking beforehand that they would be awarded a 10 out of 10 regardless if Annabel Croft was in attendance with Strictly Come Dancing scorecards. After the dance, she joked: 'We said 10 out of 10, I think everyone in this room is drunk enough that it doesn't even matter. It's all good, enjoy your champagne and the rest of the night. Congratulations.' On the prospect of performing the traditional Champions' Dinner dance, Sinner had said with a smile after winning Wimbledon: 'That's a problem. I'm not really good at dancing. But come on… I can handle it.'
