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Portuguese tennis stars Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges received special approval to make a subtle but meaningful tribute to the late Diogo Jota during Wimbledon, temporarily setting aside the tournament’s traditional all-white dress code. The gesture was in honor of the Portuguese footballer and Liverpool forward who, along with his brother André Silva, tragically died in a car accident in Spain early Thursday morning.
I. Honoring Jota at Wimbledon
1. A Subtle Symbol of Grief
Francisco Cabral, participating in the men’s doubles, initially hoped to wear a black armband to commemorate Jota but was informed that such attire would not be permitted under Wimbledon regulations. Instead, he was allowed to wear a discreet black ribbon on his kit.
2. AELTC Shows Support
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) released a statement to CNN, noting that it remains open to discussions with players in sensitive circumstances. The Referee’s Office approved the black ribbon out of respect for the heartbreaking event, acknowledging its significance as a tribute to the late footballer.
II. The Players’ Reactions and Matches
1. Cabral Reflects on His Tribute
Cabral, currently ranked 40th in the world for doubles, won his opening round at Wimbledon on Thursday before being eliminated in the second round on Friday alongside Austrian partner Lucas Miedler. Reflecting on the tribute, Cabral expressed pride in the gesture:
“It wasn’t allowed at first, but I asked again this morning and they let me wear the ribbon. It wasn’t an ideal reason to honor someone, but it meant a lot. Jota was a huge figure not only for me but for our entire country. He accomplished so much, and I just wanted to offer a small tribute to him and his family.”
2. Borges Joins the Gesture
Later that day, Nuno Borges also took to the court wearing a black ribbon, this time attached to his white cap. He competed in a hard-fought five-set match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the tournament’s 17th seed, ultimately falling short.
III. Symbolism Over Style
1. Original Tribute Was Denied
Borges revealed that he had hoped to step onto the court wearing Portugal’s iconic red jersey to symbolize national unity and mourning. However, this idea was dismissed due to Wimbledon’s long-standing dress code policy.
2. A Simple Yet Powerful Statement
Instead, Borges wore the same black ribbon as Cabral. “I think it was a respectful way to honor him,” he said. “Jota was a remarkable player. His loss is truly devastating.”
Conclusion
Although limited by the formality of Wimbledon’s dress code, Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges found a way to express their grief and respect for Diogo Jota through a quiet but powerful gesture. Their actions on the court echoed the deep loss felt across Portugal, as athletes from different disciplines came together in solidarity to mourn a national sports icon.
