Winning a major isn't just about the ranking points or the massive paycheck. It’s about the hardware. You see them every year—shiny, silver, and steeped in history. But honestly, most fans don't realize that the players holding those massive cups on the court aren't actually taking them home. Not the real ones, anyway. The world of tennis grand slam trophies is a strange mix of century-old silversmithing, strict security protocols, and some surprisingly tiny replicas that end up on mantlepieces in Monte Carlo or Mallorca.
Silver matters. It’s heavy. When you see a champion struggling to lift the trophy after a five-hour marathon in the heat, they aren't faking it. These things have weight, both physically and historically.
The Musketeers’ Cup and the Weight of Clay
Let’s talk about Roland Garros. The men’s trophy is called the Coupe des Mousquetaires. It’s named after the four legends of French tennis: Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste. If you look closely at the handles, they are shaped like grapevines. It’s very French. Very ornate.
The actual trophy stays in the custody of the French Tennis Federation. It lives in a secure vault most of the year. Rafael Nadal has "won" this trophy 14 times, but he doesn't have 14 full-sized versions of the original sitting in his museum. For decades, winners received a miniature replica. It was tiny. Sorta disappointing if you’d just spent two weeks sliding through red clay. However, because Nadal became such a dominant force, the FFT actually commissioned a one-off, full-sized replica for him to keep permanently. That’s a rare exception. Usually, you get the smaller version, and you'd better be happy with it.
The women’s trophy, the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, is named after the first true global star of women's tennis. It’s a classic, sleek design. Unlike the men's trophy, it lacks the flamboyant vine handles, opting for a more timeless, structured look that reflects Lenglen’s own revolutionary impact on the sport’s fashion and athleticism.
Wimbledon’s Pineapple Mystery
Wimbledon is the one everyone recognizes. The Gentlemen's Singles Trophy is a silver gilt cup that dates back to 1887. It’s gold-colored, but don't be fooled—it's silver underneath.
There is a pineapple on top.
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Why? Nobody is 100% certain. The most accepted theory is that in the late 19th century, pineapples were the ultimate symbol of wealth and hospitality because they were so hard to grow or import in the UK. If you had a pineapple at your dinner party, you were a big deal. Putting it on the trophy was the Victorian version of a "flex."
The All England Club is notoriously protective. Champions get a three-quarter scale replica. If you want a full-sized one, you have to be the reigning champion and even then, you only hold the real thing for about twenty minutes during the trophy ceremony and the subsequent media rounds. Then a handler in white gloves whisked it away.
The women’s trophy at Wimbledon isn't a cup at all. It’s the Rosewater Dish, often called the Venus Rosewater Dish. It’s a circular platter decorated with mythological figures. It’s stunning. It’s also incredibly awkward to hold for photos while also trying to balance a bouquet of flowers.
The US Open: Tiffany & Co. Luxury
The US Open does things differently. They partner with Tiffany & Co. to craft their trophies. The men’s and women’s singles trophies are basically identical in scale and value, which is a nice touch of parity that fits the tournament's "New York loud" vibe.
Unlike the European slams, the US Open trophies feel more modern. They are sterling silver and have a certain mirror-like shine that pops under the stadium lights of Arthur Ashe.
- Weight: Approximately 10 pounds.
- Production: It takes about four months of hand-smithing to create one.
- The Catch: For a long time, the US Open was the only slam that let players take a full-sized replica home.
In recent years, the USTA has maintained the tradition of the permanent trophy staying at the Hall of Fame in Newport, but the replicas they give out are essentially indistinguishable from the original to the naked eye. If you see Coco Gauff or Novak Djokovic hoisting a trophy in NYC, that specific piece of silver is likely heading home in their private jet.
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The Norman Brookes and Daphne Akhurst Cups
Down in Melbourne, the Australian Open trophies celebrate local legends. The men play for the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. It’s based on a large Roman marble vase known as the Warwick Vase. It looks ancient. It looks heavy. It’s probably the most difficult one to clean because of the intricate carvings.
The women compete for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Daphne was a five-time Australian champion who died tragically young at age 29.
The Australian Open is often called the "Happy Slam," but the trophy ceremonies are strictly choreographed. Like the others, the originals stay in Australia. The replicas given to players are high-quality, but again, scaled down.
Why We Should Care About the Silver
Trophies are the physical manifestation of a career's worth of work. When players talk about "holding the hardware," they are talking about joining a lineage.
When you look at the base of these trophies, you see the names. Borg. Navratilova. Graf. Federer. Sampras. The names are engraved in tiny letters, sometimes wrapping around the base or hidden on the inside of the rim. There is a finite amount of space on the original trophies. At some point, silversmiths have to add new plinths or tiers to the bases to accommodate the new generation. This happened with the Wimbledon trophy—it had to be elevated on a new black plinth to make room for more names.
The Value of a Replica
What is a replica actually worth? In terms of raw silver, maybe a few thousand dollars. But on the auction market? A replica of a Grand Slam trophy can fetch hundreds of thousands. Bjorn Borg famously tried to sell his Wimbledon trophies during a period of financial distress before being talked out of it by Andre Agassi and other players. More recently, the trophies belonging to Boris Becker were auctioned off to pay his debts. It turns out, people will pay a massive premium to own a piece of tennis history, even if it's the "player version" and not the one kept in the clubhouse.
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Common Misconceptions
One big mistake people make is thinking these trophies are solid gold. None of them are. They are primarily sterling silver. The "Gold" ones, like the Wimbledon Men’s Trophy, are "vermeil"—which is sterling silver coated in a layer of gold.
Another misconception? That players get to keep them forever without strings attached. Most tournament contracts actually have clauses about how these trophies can be used in advertising. You can't just take your replica and use it to sell car insurance without permission.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're fascinated by these iconic awards, here is how you can get closer to them:
Visit the Museums.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, has an incredible collection of original and historic trophies. Similarly, the museum at Roland Garros (underneath the grounds) and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum offer the only way to see the "Real" trophies up close without being a Top 10 player.
Check the Engravings.
When you see high-res photos of a winner, look at the base. You can often see the hand-engraved names of past winners. It’s a great way to track the history of the sport.
Understand the Scale.
Next time you watch a trophy ceremony, look at the player's hands. At Wimbledon, the replica they receive later is significantly smaller than the one they hoist on Center Court. It's a "mini-me" version of their greatest achievement.
Follow the Silversmiths.
Tiffany & Co. often releases "behind the scenes" footage of the US Open trophies being made. Watching the spinning and chasing process gives you a much deeper appreciation for the craft than just seeing the finished product on a podium.
Tennis is a sport of traditions. The trophies are the anchors of those traditions. They aren't just cups; they are the literal weight of history.