TENNIS fans have slammed Wimbledon’s wheelchair tennis trophy – claiming its size is an “insult” to the sport.
On Sunday, Scotland’s Gordon Reid became the first ever winner of the wheelchair singles event, beating Sweden’s Stephan Olsson 6-1 6-4.
Pictures taken at the prizegiving ceremony show the 24-year-old Glaswegian proudly showing off and kissing the trophy, describing the moment as a “dream come true”.
But outraged fans have taken to social media to publicly lambast the tournament for providing him with the “awful” prize.
The trophy, which appears to be little bigger than a pint glass, pales in comparison to the huge 18 and a half inch high men’s singles prize.
Alongside the silver gilt cup, winner Andy Murray was yesterday gifted £2 million for defeating Canada’s Milos Raonic.
However Reid, who contracted transverse myelitis – a disease affecting the spinal chord – when he was 12, only walked away with £25,000.
Hundreds of proud Scots took to social media to congratulate his win, but many were quick to point out the size of the cup.
Steve Hine wrote: “Gordon Reid just won the wheelchair Wimbledon final. Huge congratulations but is that trophy for real? Its tiny.”
Glen Walsh said: “The trophy Wimbledon just gave Gordon Reid is an insult to wheelchair tennis. Dip your hands in your pockets, poshos, and buy a real trophy.”
Another fan, Alan Phillips, commented: “Great win Gordon Reid. Pity trophy and prize money disproportional. Disability equality.”
Reid’s victory came a day after he was crowned Wimbledon’s wheelchair men’s doubles champion alongside Alfie Hewett.
When asked about winning two Grand Slam titles in as many days, he said: “It’s incredible. It still feels a bit of a dream. It doesn’t feel real.
“A Wimbledon title is always going to be unbelievable, but to be the first ever in the singles event, I’m never going to forget that.”
Despite the trophy’s apparent small size, it is not the first petite prize to be given at a sporting tournament.
The Ashes urn, which is handed to the winner of the annual cricket tournament between England and Australia, stands at just 11cm high.
