Nuno Borges, Portugal’s top player, wears black ribbon for Jota at Wimbledon

LONDON (AP) — Nuno Borges had hoped to wear a Diogo Jota soccer jersey onto the court for his match at Wimbledon on Friday, but he settled for a black ribbon on his hat instead.

The All England Club has a strict all-white dress code for players while on court, but permission to wear the ribbon was granted after Jota and his brother were killed in a car crash in Spain.

Family and friends of the Liverpool forward and his brother gathered at a chapel where their bodies were brought for a wake on Friday, a day after the fatal crash.

Borges, who at No. 37 is Portugal’s highest-ranked tennis player, told the PA news agency that his agent contacted Wimbledon about the idea of wearing Jota’s national team jersey as a tribute, but it wasn’t approved. Tournament officials did not immediately comment late Friday.

Borgest lost his third-round match to Karen Khachanov in five sets.

Francisco Cabral of Portugal, wearing a black ribbon in memory of compatriot and soccer player Diogo Jota, on day five of the Wimbledon Championships in, London, Friday July 4, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon on his left sleeve during a doubles match.

Nuno Borges of Portugal, wearing a black ribbon in his hat in memory of compatriot Diogo Jota returns to Karen Khachanov of Russia during their men’s singles match on day five of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday July 4, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Francisco Cabral of Portugal, wearing a black ribbon in memory of compatriot and soccer player Diogo Jota, on day five of the Wimbledon Championships in, London, Friday July 4, 2025. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

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