Why do tennis players eat bananas at Wimbledon 2017?
WIMBLEDON tennis star have confused spectators by tucking into bananas in between games on Centre Court. So, why do tennis players eat bananas at Wimbledon?
Bananas remain the snack of choice for tennis champions and they rely on the fruit to give them extra energy on the courts.
This is because bananas provide a quick source of energy to help tennis players to stay alert and energetic.
Bananas are also full of fibre, vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and magnesium.
The high levels of potassium protect the players from muscle fatigue and keep them going throughout the matches.
Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard, 23, said: “All tennis players eat like five bananas a day.”
On average, 5,000kg of bananas are consumed at Wimbledon every year.
Andy Murray, who is known to eat 6,000 calories a day during the tournaments, has previously criticised bananas as ‘not even juicy’.
All tennis players eat like five bananas a day
In his 2008 autobiography, Murray complained that bananas get squashed in racquet bags, adding: “To be honest, I think bananas are a pathetic fruit.”
But in 2014, he said: “I think I’ve said somewhere in the past that I don’t like bananas.
“Well, I can update you - if I mush it up and put it on a bagel, it’s fine! I guess it must be the consistency.”
Kim Murray watches husband Andy at Wimbledon
Why do people eat strawberries and cream at Wimbledon?
While the players will be munching their way through bananas, spectators will be enjoying their fair share of strawberries and cream.
The winning combination was served at the first ever Wimbledon tournament in 1877 and has been consumed ever since.
An average 10,000 litres of cream and 28,000kg of strawberries are eaten at the tournament each year.
Tennis fans will also enjoy 330,000 cups of tea and coffee, 320,000 glasses of Pimms and 110,000 pints of draught beer and lage