World No. 3 Iga Swiatek has stated she intends to continue collecting Wimbledon towels, embracing the playful nickname "towel thief" she has acquired on the professional tennis tour. Swiatek confirmed her intention to hoard the tournament-branded towels, which she collects as souvenirs for her family, friends, and for charitable donations.
During a press conference at Wimbledon on Monday, Swiatek was asked about her habit of taking towels from the tournament. "Last year you got the nickname of the 'Wimbledon towel thief' … will you be living up to that nickname or have you got a new towel strategy?" a reporter inquired.
Swiatek clarified that the towels she collects are not for personal use and have previously been given away. "Let's start from the fact that I don't have any towels left from last year. My friends wanted, my family wanted … we gave them to some charity because the thing became viral," she explained.
The Polish player, who won Wimbledon in 2025, affirmed her commitment to continuing the practice. "I guess I should steal even more. I will continue that because it's the best kind of souvenir you can get from a tournament," Swiatek said. Upon learning of a limited-edition red towel available at this year's tournament, she responded, "I will ask for it."
Following her Wimbledon victory in 2025, the tournament acknowledged Swiatek's habit by presenting her with a personalized towel. The purple and green item was emblazoned with the words "Property of Iga Świątek, Wimbledon Champion."
Fans have reacted positively to Swiatek's tradition, with one social media user writing, "Good luck at Wimbledon and towel up, they can afford it."