Wimbledon allows tennis players to wear mourning bands after the death of footballer Diogo Jota. The Grand Slam tournament normally has strict dress codes and nothing may be worn on the white clothing.
It is the first time in the history of the Grand Slam tournament in London that the wearing of mourning bands has been allowed.
Two Portuguese tennis players will be in action in London on Friday. In the singles, the best Portuguese player of the moment, Nuno Borges, will face Karen Khachanov. Doubles player Francisco Cabral will also make an appearance.
Cabral learned the news on Thursday when he was on his way to the Wimbledon complex. “I couldn’t get a mourning band in time today, but I want to next time,” Cabra said after his first-round match with Austrian Lucas Miedler.
The press conference of the Portuguese doubles specialist was attended by press from all over the world. “That man (Diogo Jota, ed.) is a big name, not only in Portugal but all over the world. He was a great person with a nice family and three children. It is very difficult for his family to get over this,” said the world number forty in doubles.
The death of Jota and his brother has hit hard throughout the sports world, as was evident from all the reactions on Thursday. Many tennis players also indicated that they were touched by the news.