Why Did Wimbledon Make Dress Code Exception After Diogo Jota’s Death?

In an unprecedented move that highlights the unifying power of sport, Wimbledon has made a rare exception to its strict all-white dress code, allowing players to wear black armbands in tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025. This marks only the second time in Wimbledon history that the All England Club has relaxed its iconic Victorian-era dress regulations, demonstrating the profound impact of Diogo Jota's death across the sporting world.

Tennis World Moved By Diogo Jota's Tragic Death

The sports world was shocked when news came that 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva had passed away in a horrific car accident near Zamora, Spain. While overtaking another vehicle at around 12:30 AM local time on the A-52 motorway, their Lamborghini reportedly had a tire blowout. Then the car veered off the road, caught fire; both brothers breathed their last at the scene.

The catastrophe struck two weeks after Diogo Jota's marriage to childhood friend Rute Cardoso in Porto. Dating from 2012, the couple had three children together. Told not to fly because of recent lung surgery, Jota was on his way back to England to meet up with Liverpool for pre-season training. Traveling with him was his brother Andre, who played for second-tier FC Penafiel in Portugal.

The Portuguese Football Federation called the loss “irreparable”, noting that Jota was “not only a great player with almost 50 caps for the national team but also an incredible person who was admired by all his teammates and opponents”. Liverpool FC stated their pain and asked for privacy for his family as it was an “unimaginable loss.”

Wimbledon's Compassionate Response

The All England Club's decision has allowed black armbands to pay tribute to Diogo Jota. It is a remarkable decision by the Wimbledon hierarchy as players are mandated to wear entirely white clothing since the tournament's inception in 1877. Created in the Victorian era to cover sweating, the rule has been strictly followed over the years; even tennis great Roger Federer was rebuffed for sporting white shoes with orange soles in 2013.

The exception was authorized after Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral requested to honor his countryman, Diogo Jota, at the Wimbledon doubles event. Having just beaten Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram in their first-round match, Cabral, 40th in ATP doubles, learned about Diogo Jota's death. He was partnering with Lucas Miedler. Cabral honored Jota after his victory, saying: "I have read the very depressing news".

“Not only in Portugal but also globally, Diogo Jota is a well-known celebrity. He was described as a great person by three kids and a wonderful family. Best wishes to each of them. That is rather difficult to overcome for his family. Even if I wasn't able to get one today, I hope to eventually get one,” Cabrel said while affirming that players would be permitted to wear black armbands or ribbons to show respect, tournament authorities swiftly approved the demand.

As Wimbledon makes dress-code exception after Diogo Jota's death, the only other such event unfolded in 2022, when Wimbledon let female players wear dark-colored undershorts under their white clothing to address concerns about their periods. Prior to that, with infractions causing players to replace their garments or face possible penalties, the dress code had mostly remained unchanged since the 1870s. Among other tennis stars, Martina Navratilova said, "So tragic… RIP Diogo… and Andre" in reaction to highlights from the Liverpool footballer's career.