In a solemn and unobtrusive nod of tribute to the memory of Portugese soccer star Diogo Jota, Wimbledon relaxed one of the club’s longest standing traditions in recognition of the tragedy that devasted world sport on Thursday.
Jota’s compatriot Francisco Cabral wore on his left arm sleeve a black ribbon in memory of the Liverpool forward, who died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash near Zamora, Spain, that has created an outpouring of emotion.
The ribbon was a simple gesture, but still a departure from the club’s long-standing all white policy, and Cabral was grateful for the opportunity to express his grief at the death of the 28-year-old on Court 5 at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
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Liverpool's Jota passed away in accident | 00:30
The Portugese doubles player did not win his second round doubles match, but that scarcely mattered as he discussed the Jota tragedy, saying that while he did not know Jota personally, he shared a mutual mate with the star.
“Initially it was actually (to be) an armband, but that was not allowed, and this morning, through the players’ relations, I was told the black ribbon (was OK),” he said.
“(It is) very, very sad news, not only in the sports world, but in Portugal overall, because he’s such an idol, such an icon, such a good person, through his life. So he’s just very inspiring for me.”
Tennis champions have been among those to express their sadness for the father of three, who once said that he looked to seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams as an inspiration for his daughters to follow.
22-time major champion Rafael Nadal described the news of Jota’s death as “terribly sad and painful news”.
English doubles star Neal Skupski, who won the Wimbledon doubles title in 2023, is a passionate Liverpool fan who gets up in the middle of the night to watch his club play when travelling on the tennis circuit.
It was an emotional day for the 35-year-old, whose grandmother died on the same day, a loss he only learned of when walking off court after an opening round win alongside Joe Salisbury.
“It’s been a tough day. I found out this morning that Jota had passed away and then I just found out my nan had passed today as well, so it’s been a very tough day,” he said.
“It was a bit strange. You look at it, you’re on Twitter and you see something like a headline about Jota in Spanish, and you don’t know what it was, but it’s along the lines of ‘accident’ and it’s in black and white. So it was like, ‘has he actually really died?’
“You always think your heroes or sportspeople you look up to are invincible but it just shows that everyone is human and things come at you, you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Skupski, who has played Padel with former manager Jurgen Klopp and met several members of the Liverpool team, said the sentiments he had heard from friends back in Liverpool were in keeping with the tributes offered by Jota’s friends and teammates.
“I’ve spoken to some people today who are connected to Liverpool and they say Diogo was not just an amazing footballer, but an incredible person, so down to earth, someone that kept the whole dressing room together. He’s going to be a big loss for Liverpool,” the Daily Mail reported.
Former Wimbledon doubles champion Neal Skupski is a massive Liverpool fan and was saddened after a difficult day on Thursday in London. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA)Source: Getty Images
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