Wimbledon’s Strawberries: A Perfect Addition to the Tennis Tournament
The juicy red strawberries are a favorite among tennis fans during the annual Wimbledon tournament in London. Despite a wet spring in Britain, organizers stated that this year’s crop is perfect. Each year, over 38.4 tons of strawberries, equivalent to 1.92 million strawberries, are picked and enjoyed during the two-week tournament.
Wimbledon’s Director of Operations, Michelle Dite, assured that the strawberries for this year are just as they should be for the tournament. While prices have increased for other Wimbledon staples like champagne and Pimm’s, the cost of a box of strawberries has remained at £2.50 since 2010. Keeping strawberries at an affordable price is important as it is part of the iconic Wimbledon experience, along with other traditional offerings such as green courts and white attire worn by players.
The strawberries are harvested by a team of pickers at Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent who rise early each day to ensure that the fruit is picked at its peak ripeness before being sent to the All England Club. The juicy red fruit is an integral part of the Wimbledon experience and adds to its unique charm. Despite concerns about the wet weather affecting the strawberries’ juiciness or size, Dite stated that they are average-sized and of good quality. Marion Regan, a strawberry grower based in Kent who works with organizers to supply Wimbledon with its annual two million strawberries, shared her satisfaction with this year’s crop as well.
