How Did Francisco Cabral Honor Diogo Jota at Wimbledon 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Francisco Cabral honored Diogo Jota at Wimbledon with a black ribbon.
- The accident occurred in Zamora, Spain, claiming both Jota and his brother.
- Jota was a key player for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team.
- His funeral is set for Saturday in Gondomar, Portugal.
- Cabral's tribute reflects the strong bonds within the sporting community.
London, July 4 (NationPress) The Portuguese tennis star Francisco Cabral honored his friend and fellow countryman, Diogo Jota, following the tragic loss of the footballer in a car accident, which also claimed the life of his brother, Andre Silva, on Thursday.
The All-England Club announced a temporary relaxation of its stringent all-white dress code so players could express their condolences. The 28-year-old Cabral sported a black ribbon on his shirt as a gesture of respect for the late footballer.
Ranked 40th in Men’s doubles, Cabral and his partner Lucas Miedler faced elimination from the Championship's doubles competition on Friday, suffering a defeat of 3-6, 6-7(9) against Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.
The unfortunate incident involving Jota occurred at around 12:30 AM local time in Zamora, Spain. According to local authorities, Jota's vehicle lost control while attempting to overtake another car, resulting in a tyre blowout that led to the car catching fire. Both Jota and his brother tragically died at the scene.
As reported by ESPN, the funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 AM local time in the Portuguese town of Gondomar, following the arrival of the bodies on Thursday. The service will take place at the Matriz de Gondomar church, located 33 kilometers from Porto. A wake will be held at 4 PM local time on Friday.
At just 28 years old, Jota was an integral player for both the Portuguese national team and Liverpool. Since joining the Premier League club in 2020, he has contributed to major victories, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and two EFL Cups. During his tenure at Anfield, he netted 65 goals in 182 matches and was well-regarded for his dedication and ability to perform under pressure.
For the national team, Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals. He was part of the squad that secured the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and again in 2025, when Portugal triumphed over Spain in the final.
After his Round 1 victory, Cabral expressed his sorrow, stating, “I have seen the very sad news. The guy is a big name, not just in Portugal but in the world.
“He was a great human being with a lovely family and three children. My heartfelt wishes go out to them all. It’s incredibly tough for his family to cope with this loss,” he added.