Portuguese tennis players Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges received special permission from Wimbledon officials to deviate from the tournament’s strict all-white dress code in order to honor the late soccer star Diogo Jota. Jota tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain early Thursday morning at the age of 28, alongside his brother André Silva, who was 25.
Initially, Cabral sought to wear a black armband as a tribute but discovered that this was not permissible. Instead, he was allowed to don a small black ribbon to signify his respect. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) acknowledged the situation in a statement, expressing their willingness to engage with players concerning such matters, especially under tragic circumstances.
Cabral, who is ranked 40th in the world in doubles, won his first-round match on Thursday but was eliminated in the second round on Friday alongside his partner Lucas Miedler from Austria. Reflecting on the tribute, Cabral expressed that Jota served as an inspiration not just to him but to many in Portugal, emphasizing the loss felt across the sports community.
Similarly, Nuno Borges participated in the men’s singles and honored Jota by affixing a black ribbon to his white cap during his match against the 17th seed, Karen Khachanov. Borges initially planned to wear a full red Portugal top but was informed that this would not align with the dress code. Nonetheless, he felt the gesture of wearing the black ribbon was fitting, stating, “It’s a tragedy.”
The unity displayed by Cabral and Borges highlights the profound impact Jota had on both his fans and fellow athletes, reminding us of the importance of solidarity in times of loss. Throughout the tournament, these heartfelt tributes serve to honor Jota’s legacy in sports.