Wimbledon will allow players to wear black armbands in tribute to the late Diogo Jota, marking an exception to their all-white dress code.
The Liverpool forward died in a car accident aged 28, along with his brother, Andre Silva, when a car they were travelling in veered off the road near Zamora, north-west Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Jota was tragically killed in a car crash
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Jota was tragically killed in a car crashCredit: AFP
His untimely passing came just ten days after the Portugal international married his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, with whom he has three children.
Tributes have flooded in from across the footballing world, with Jota's international captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher among the many to express their shock at the news.
With the world of sport in mourning, Wimbledon is set to break from tradition to allow their stars to pay their respects.
The All England club are usually bound by a strict all-white dress code, but has eased the rule by permitting tennis players to wear black armbands during matches in homage to Jota.
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Leading Portuguese doubles player Francisco Cabral has already expressed his desire to commemorate his fellow countryman.
Cabral grew up in Porto, the same city as Jota, and shared mutual friends with the former Wolves star.
He learned of the tragic passing on his way into Wimbledon for his first-round doubles clash with Austrian partner Lucas Miedler, with the pair beating Jamie Murrayand American Rajeev Ram to progress.
After the match, the 28-year-old gave an emotional interview where he shared his upset at the news, and gave a glowing account of Jota.
Cabral said: “I didn’t know him personally. But I know a friend who knew him. A great guy.
“Obviously, very, very sad news. Not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall.
Doubles world no.40 Cabral paid tribute to Jota in an
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Doubles world no.40 Cabral paid tribute to Jota in anCredit: Getty
The forward helped Portugal to Nations League glory less than a month ago
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The forward helped Portugal to Nations League glory less than a month agoCredit: UEFA via Getty
"He’s such an idol. Such an icon. Such a good person. I am very sad to hear what happened.
“I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I wish all the best for his family. He had great people around him. I hope they can get through it.
“He was really hard working, what he had come through, what he had conquered in his career and life. Very inspiring for me.
“He plays in the national team. One of the best teams in the world. I followed the games and when he scored, I was happy for him.
“In the back of my head while I was playing, I was sad as everyone is in Portugal. I had to play the game. I had to focus on my game. I’m sad, of course.”
Having not had enough time to organise his tribute before Thursday's match, Cabral revealed his plans to do so in the second round.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates a point against Oliver Tarvet of Great Britain during the Gentleman's Singles Second Round match on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Tennis players must wear all-white at Wimbledon, but an exception has been made after Diogo Jota's passing
Asked if he would be willing to wear a black armband in memory of Jota, he said: “I’m open to doing it.
“I need to get a black strip to put on my shirt. If someone can arrange that for me, I will be very, very happy to do it.
“Of course, I would be open to (a one-minute silence). He’s such a legend of our country.”
Before the start of today's Wimbledon action, tennis legend Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Jota and his brother on social media.
The Spaniard wrote on X: "What terribly sad and painful news
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"All my love, affection, and support to his wife, his children, his family, and his friends in such a difficult moment.
"Rest in Peace, Diogo Jota and André Silva."