Wimbledon is full of iconic features, from the all-white dress code to strawberries and cream, and the sound of champagne bottles popping from the stands. But Sunday’s men’s singles final may leave viewers wondering how on earth one particular aspect of the historic grass-court tournament came to be.

More specifically: Why on earth is there a pineapple on top of the trophy?

Even more intriguing is the fact that there is no definitive, known reason for the exotic fruit featuring on the silverware. But there are plenty of theories.

The leading explanation, which is supported by Wimbledon chiefs themselves, is that the pineapple was a symbol of great wealth and prestige during the latter half of the 19th century, when the first editions of the tournament were held.

Wimbledon’s official website explains: “Although Christopher Columbus brought a pineapple back from his 1492 expedition to the New World, pineapples remained expensive to import to, or grow in, western Europe, until commercial production began in Hawaii in the early 1900s. Serving them was thus an indication of high status.”

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will fight to get their hands on the coveted trophy, and its pineapple, in a blockbuster final this Sunday.

Alcaraz beat Djokovic in last year’s final but he, like all those to have come before him since 1949, was given a replica to take home rather than the real thing. The trophy stands 46cm high and is made of silver gilt.

It dons the names of every single winner of the men’s singles title at Wimbledon since Stephen Gore won the inaugural tournament 147 years ago. Since 2009, the winners’ names have been inscribed on the black plinth underneath the trophy.

Despite Djokovic’s history at Wimbledon, Alcaraz heads into this weekend’s final as the slight favourite. Djokovic came into the tournament nursing a knee injury, but the Serb had no issues dispatching the likes of Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti en route to his Alcaraz showdown.

The Spaniard has waded through an even tougher draw. Frances Tiafoe, Ugo Humbert, Tommy Paul and Daniil Medvedev have all been unable to stop Alcaraz, who is gunning down a second Wimbledon crown in only two years.