Wimbledon paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota following his tragic death, as Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his doubles match on Friday.
The All England Club made a rare exception to its strict all-white dress code, allowing Cabral to affix the ribbon to his sleeve for his second-round match—an emotional tribute to the 28-year-old Portugal forward.
Jota and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in northern Spain while en route to catch a ferry to England ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season training. The tragedy occurred just days after Jota’s wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
Cabral, who lost the match alongside Austrian partner Lucas Miedler to Czech duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl, said he learned of Jota’s death while driving to Wimbledon.
“He was an idol—such an icon, such a good person,” Cabral said. “I know what he went through and what he achieved in his career and life. He’s incredibly inspiring to me. I just wish the best for his family. I hope they have the strength to get through this.”
British doubles player Neal Skupski, a devoted Liverpool fan, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but chose not to wear it. He suggested he may do so later in the tournament, saying, “Maybe in the next couple of days.”
