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Wimbledon breaks 148 year tradition after tragic deaths

Wimbledon will break with 148 years of tradition and allow grieving players to wear black armbands or ribbons in honour of the late Diogo Jota.

Liverpool and Portugal star Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain on Thursday when the Lamborghini they were in veered off the road and burst into flames.

Portugal doubles player Francisco Cabral was in a car on the way to his match at Wimbledon when he heard the grim news.

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Cabal then teamed up with Lucas Miedler to beat Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram before giving an emotional interview.

"I have seen the very sad news," Cabral said.

"The guy is a big name, not just in Portugal but in the world. He was a great human being with a nice family and three kids.

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Francisco Cabral of Portugal celebrates a set won.

Francisco Cabral of Portugal celebrates a set won. Getty

"My best wishes to them all. For his family, it is very tough to recover from that."

Cabral will wear a black armband in his next doubles match against Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

"I couldn't get one in time today, but I want to in the next one."

Wimbledon has enforced a strict all white dress code since 1877.

Jota's death came weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on holiday after a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League.

On getting married, she wrote in a social media post, "Yes to forever."

Police were investigating the causes of the accident that occurred past midnight local time.

They said there were no other vehicles involved and that the brothers were alone in the car.

It wasn't clear who was driving but police were looking into a theory that the accident happened because of a blown tyre while they tried to overtake.

Video shot by a trucker passing by the scene and published by local media showed the Lamborghini in flames.

Portuguese media reported that Jota was headed to the northern city of Santander to take a ferry to England after being advised not to fly following a recent lung procedure.

Liverpool fans placed flowers and team scarves outside Anfield after news of Jota's death spread.

Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images

"What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said.

"All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.

"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss."

Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal. Getty

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Reds , scoring 65 goals in 182 games.

His last goal for the club was the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, which moved the team closer to the league title.

His brother played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

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