Players at this year’s Wimbledon Championships have continued a longstanding practice of taking home the tournament’s distinctive towels as souvenirs, with more than 450 towels reportedly removed daily from the All England Club’s courts during the first six days of competition.

Wimbledon, one of tennis’s most prestigious events, awards over £64 million in prize money, but many competitors seem equally motivated by the tournament’s signature £40 cotton towels, which bear the club’s iconic green and purple colours. These towels are handed out to players after matches, with each singles player typically receiving five towels per match—two for their chair and three placed in towel bins around the courts. The introduction of towel bins, designed to reduce contact for ball boys and girls amid the pandemic, has inadvertently made it easier for players to collect more towels.

According to tournament officials, the demand is substantial. From the opening days of this year’s event, 3,789 towels were distributed, but only 1,044 were returned, suggesting that roughly 457 towels were taken daily by players. Previously, players were politely requested to return towels after matches, but the club has relaxed this policy in response to continued demand.

Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, remarked that the towels’ popularity is reflected in strong sales of similar items in the club shop, and she expressed no concern over players’ enthusiasm for taking them. Winston Sedgwick, assistant manager of the court services team responsible for towel distribution, noted that the towels have been coveted since Wimbledon began producing them.

This year’s limited edition towel, dubbed the “strawberry towel” due to its red hue, has been particularly popular among both players and fans. Many players are known to collect towels from each tournament, with former champions Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic openly acknowledging their affection for the item. Federer has described his amassed collection as a valuable gift, while Djokovic famously admitted in 2016 to exaggerating his sweat levels to justify taking extra towels, which he distributes to fans and friends in his home country.

Notable incidents this year have underscored the practice. Italian player Flavio Cobolli attracted attention when he was seen placing about 15 towels into his bag after a second-round match. When asked if he planned to share them with spectators, he indicated the towels were for his support team. Polish champion Iga Swiatek has earned the nickname “the towel thief” for her unabashed collection efforts and reported that she receives frequent towel requests from family and friends. Following widespread attention last year, Swiatek said she donated some towels to charity but joked she might have to “steal even more” this year.

Since 1988, Wimbledon’s towels have been manufactured by Christy, a British company established in 1850, with production taking place in India. The towels have become a symbol of the tournament’s tradition and appeal beyond the court.

In addition to the discussion on towels, Bolton addressed recent concerns about the tournament’s shift away from employing line judges after 147 years, emphasizing Wimbledon’s commitment to balancing tradition with technological advancement. She assured that the introduction of technology aims to enhance the experience for players and spectators alike. Bolton also confirmed that Rufus, a Harris hawk who has deterred pigeons from the courts for 18 years, would continue his role amid the integration of new technologies such as AI and drones.