Wimbledon softens dress code guidelines, enabling Portuguese tennis players to honor Diogo Jota in their attire.
In a rare deviation from its traditionally strict all-white dress code, Wimbledon allowed Portuguese tennis players Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges to pay tribute to the late soccer star Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) granted the exceptional permission for the players to wear small black ribbons during their matches as a mark of respect and condolence for Jota, who was part of the Liverpool team that won a record-equaling 20th top-flight title in April.
Cabral and Borges had initially planned to wear black armbands or full soccer jerseys, but were only allowed to wear the discreet black ribbons. Cabral wore the ribbon as a black strap, while Borges opted for a black ribbon on his white cap during the men's singles draw.
The decision to allow the black ribbons was a significant moment, as Wimbledon's all-white attire rule, dating back to 1877 and formalized in 1963, generally prohibits non-white items, with only rare exceptions granted in specific cases. The 2012 London Olympics and a custom bag in 2023 are notable examples of such exceptions.
Despite the losses in the second round of Wimbledon, both Cabral and Borges expressed that the opportunity to honor Jota was a meaningful experience. "Wearing the black ribbon was a nice gesture for Diogo," Borges said, reflecting on the tribute.
The tragic loss of Jota and his fellow soccer player André Silva in a car crash at the age of 25 has left a profound impact on the sports world. Borges, who lost to Karen Khachanov in the men's singles draw, expressed his sympathy for the loss, stating, "It's a tragedy, and our thoughts are with Diogo's family and friends during this difficult time."
Francisco Cabral, ranked 40th in the world in doubles, won his first-round match in Wimbledon before losing in the second round with his doubles partner Lucas Miedler. The players' heartfelt tribute to Jota serves as a poignant reminder of the shared bonds between athletes across different sports and the enduring power of sport to bring people together in times of grief.
Despite the losses in their respective sports competitions during Wimbledon, Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges were grateful for the opportunity to honor their fellow Portuguese soccer player, Diogo Jota. Their tribute, a small black ribbon, marked a notable exception to the European-leagues' traditional all-white dress code, demonstrating the unity and mutual support between football and tennis athletes.
