Iga Swiatek delivered a devastating performance at Wimbledon on Saturday, crushing Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the women's singles final, but was forced to give back her trophy afterwards.
The Polish star needed less than an hour to secure victory in what became the most one-sided final of the Open Era.
The 24-year-old's dominance left her opponent visibly emotional as Swiatek swept through the match without dropping a single game.
Her ruthless display marked a historic moment at the All England Club, establishing a new benchmark for lopsided finals in modern tennis.
Iga Swiatek delivered a devastating performance at Wimbledon on Saturday, crushing Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the women's singles final, but was forced to give back her trophy afterwards
PA
Yet the joy of lifting the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish would prove fleeting for the newly crowned champion.
During the BBC's coverage of the champion's traditional balcony appearance, the harsh reality of Wimbledon tradition emerged.
Host Clare Balding remarked on the beauty of Swiatek holding the trophy, whilst pundit Tracy Austin noted: "She keeps looking at it! It's so beautiful to see her smiling."
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Iga Swiatek won Wimbledon on Saturday with a dominant displayPAFormer champion Marion Bartoli then delivered unwelcome news.
"But she can't keep it," she interjected, explaining that winners receive only a replica whilst the original returns to Wimbledon's trophy gallery.
The revelation highlighted a little-known aspect of tennis's most prestigious tournament - champions must surrender the iconic trophy shortly after their moment of triumph, keeping only a smaller version as a memento.
Bartoli elaborated on the tradition: "You only get a replica of it. This one goes back into the trophy gallery.
"You will have it at the Champions Ball in your hand again, then it will go back to the trophy gallery. You don't go back home with that trophy, there is only one place and it stays in the trophy gallery at Wimbledon."
The moment of separation came swiftly. After Swiatek posed for photographs with her team, All England Club CEO Sally Bolton approached to reclaim the trophy.
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When asked about the replica's size, Bartoli confirmed it was "three-quarters size" but noted: "But all the names are engraved, all the names of the past champions who have graced that court before you are engraved with the replica you can take home."
The tradition has caught other champions off guard.
American star Coco Gauff discovered the same disappointment after winning her first French Open title in June, even creating a TikTok video poking fun at her miniature replica trophy.
Amanda Anisimova broke down in tears on Saturday after being thumped by Iga Swiatek in the final of WimbledonPAAndy Murray, absent from this year's Wimbledon before Sunday's final, weighed in on social media.
"Surely the tennis majors can do a better job with the replica trophies?! They are tiny," he posted on Instagram, adding a laughing emoji in response to Gauff's complaint.