Tributes to Diogo Jota have extended beyond the football pitch and into the world of tennis, where Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral paid his respects at Wimbledon by wearing a black ribbon during his men’s doubles match.
Cabral, who partnered Austria’s Lucas Miedler on Court 5 in the second round, was seen with the ribbon pinned to his white sleeve—a quiet but powerful gesture in honour of the late Liverpool and Portugal forward.
The All England Club made a rare exception to its famously strict all-white dress code, allowing the tribute as a mark of respect.
It’s a small but significant move that reflects just how far Jota’s impact reached beyond football.
Cabral, one of Portugal’s top-ranked doubles players, didn’t speak publicly after the match but made his message clear with the visible symbol of mourning on his kit. For Portuguese fans following Wimbledon, it was a touching reminder that the nation’s grief has no borders.
Jota’s death in a car accident on Thursday has triggered a wave of tributes from teammates, clubs, fans, and fellow athletes.