Portuguese tennis star reveals Wimbledon denied touching tribute request to Diogo Jota after Liverpool star's tragic death - before club allowed players to wear black armbands
Instead he wore a black ribbon pinned to his hat during Friday's third-round defeat against Karen Khachanov, but said his team had initially pushed for a more visible tribute.
'I know Wimbledon is usually not very flexible with attire,' Borges told the PA news agency.
'But I was told we could still do something to pay our respects for what happened, so I think it was a nice gesture.
'He was a great footballer. It was a tragedy.'
Borges, who lost a five-set thriller to the 17th seed, said his agent contacted Wimbledon about the idea of wearing a Portugal shirt, and even tried to source a white version to comply with dress rules, but it was not approved.
'We initially talked about getting a full jersey to walk on court,' he said.
'I even tried to find one in white, but it was turned down, so we ended up doing something a little smaller.'
Asked if Wimbledon should have allowed the shirt, he said: 'I think that's what makes Wimbledon special and different from every other slam, so I really don't know.'
Other tennis stars Francisco Cabral and Neal Skupski stepped onto court sporting black ribbons in tribute to Jota in the wake of the Liverpool star's tragic death on Thursday morning.
The Portugual international was driving through Zamora in northern Spain with his brother Andre Silva in a bid to catch a ferry that would take him back to England to link up with his side ahead of pre-season.
The 28-year-old's death has plunged both his home country and his adopted one into mourning, with Premier League fans travelling to Anfield to pay tribute to the forward.
In SW19, the All England Club announced that they would relax their stringent all-white rules for players on-court to allow those who wished to sport armbands or tributes to do so.
Cabral heard of Jota's death as he was making his way into Wimbledon ahead of his doubles clash with Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram, and told Mail Sport that although he didn't know the player personally, he knew through a mutual friend that he was a 'great guy'.
Neal Skupski opted to wear his on his shirt front after suffering the double heartbreak of losing both Jota and his unwell grandmother on Thursday
'Very, very sad news, not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall, because he's such an idol, such an icon, such a good person,' Cabral said on Thursday.
'I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it.
'I know what he's been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he's just very inspiring for me.'
Doubles world No40 Cabral and his partner Lucas Miedler faced off with Petr Nouza and Patrik Riki on Court No5, where they lost in straight sets.
Cabral sported the ribbon on his shirt sleeve, while Borges chose to wear his pinned to his hat during his singles match against Karen Khachanov.
Another doubles player, Liverpool superfan Skupski, had also suggested that he might sport an armband for his mixed clash alongside US star Desirae Krawczyk, which took place on Friday.
The British star suffered a double heartbreak on Thursday as he learned that his grandmother had also passed away after he and partner Joe Salisbury defeated Joshua Paris and Charles Broom.
'It's been a tough day,' said Skupski. 'I found out this morning that Jota had passed away and then I just found out my nan had passed today as well, so it's been a very tough day.'
Skupski had brought a black armband with him, but opted not to wear it as he was aware that his grandmother was unwell.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Joao Felix's former team-mate tears into Chelsea flop and his 'worthless' talent - after he left Blues for Al-Nassr in £43m deal
Joao Felix 's talent is 'worthless' because he lacks work ethic, one of his former team-mates has sensationally claimed. The 25-year-old's career at the elite level could already be over after he departed Chelsea for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr this week. He became one of the most expensive players in history when Atletico Madrid signed him for £113million from Benfica in 2019, and Chelsea signed him for £46.3m a year ago. But now he leaves Stamford Bridge for a mere £26m in a deal which will rise to £43.7m - a sign of his falling stock after a season blowing hot and cold. Few doubt the ability of Felix, who was Europe's Golden Boy in 2019, but he has struggled to be an unimpeachable starter over the last half-decade at various clubs. And Saul Niguez, his former Atletico Madrid comrade, said: 'Joao has all the qualities to be an incredible player, but no matter how good you are, if you don't work, it's worthless.' 'I heard a phrase from Paco Jemez (a Spanish manager) that said that talent without work is nothing. 'Many of us have tried to help Joao, but if you don't want to...' Saul was speaking after leaving Atletico for Brazilian club Flamengo. Felix joins his Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, who announced his arrival with a short video on social media in which Felix said: 'I am here to spread joy. Let's win together.' He made 20 appearances for Chelsea in the first half of the season - but started only three Premier League games - before leaving for AC Milan on loan in January. 'We thank Joao for his efforts across his two spells at the club and wish him well for the future,' Chelsea said in the statement. He had been linked with a return to his boyhood club Benfica, but a move didn't materialise. Felix emerged from Benfica's legendary academy and helped them to win the Primeira Liga in 2019, before joining Atletico in what is the fourth-most-expensive transfer of all time. His career is already the envy of most footballers. Alongside a LaLiga title with Atletico Madrid and Europa Conference League crown with Chelsea (admittedly only playing four games in their continental campaign), he has also racked up 45 appearances for Portugal and won the Nations League twice. However, the consensus is that he is yet to live up to his potential and Maresca was unable to find a spot for him in his side for the second half of last season, hence his loan to AC Milan.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Top seed Gauff fights back to win in Montreal
Top seed Coco Gauff progressed to the fourth round of the Canadian Open after a comeback win against Veronika Kudermetova in world number two recovered from a set and a break down to win 4-6 7-5 6-2 and make it to the final 16 of the tournament for the fifth time 2025 French Open champion will now face the winner of the clash between 18-year-old wildcard Victoria Mboko of Canada and Czech Republic's Marie seed Mirra Andreeva exited the competition after she was beaten 7-6 6-5 by 28th seed McCartney Kessler, who will meet Ukraine's 27th seed Marta Kostyuk, who posted a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4) win against 15th seed Daria Zhu Lin of China is also through to the fourth round after a 6-2 6-2 victory against Suzan the men's draw in Toronto, third seed Lorenzo Musetti crashed out of the tournament after the Italian was beaten 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 by 26th seed Alex Michelsen of the United States in the third win sets up an all-American clash in the fourth round where he could face either Learner Tien or Reilly seed Casper Ruud also reached the fourth round with a 7-6 6-4 win against Nuno Borges and will face 11th seed Karen Khachanov, who overcame Emilio Nava 6-7 6-4 Francisco Cerundolo got the better of compatriot Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets and will face either top seed Alexander Zverev or Matteo Arnaldi in the next stage.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak swap proposed as mega Liverpool and Newcastle deal 'suits all parties'
Newcastle United have been told that Liverpool could propose a swap deal to sign star striker Alexander Isak this summer, with Darwin Nunez potentially moving in the opposite direction Former Newcastle United defender Stuart Pearce has suggested Liverpool could propose a swap deal to secure the services of Alexander Isak this summer. Last week, Isak reported a thigh injury ahead of the club's trip to Asia and withdrew from training. He remained at home and did not travel with the squad. However, it later emerged that the striker had informed the club of his desire to explore his options this summer. Liverpool have been long-standing admirers of Isak, but Newcastle have remained firm on their stance that the striker is not for sale, with the club valuing him at around £150million. Pearce believes that Liverpool may find a way around that by offering wantaway marksman Darwin Nunez as part of a deal to sign Isak before the end of the summer transfer window. "The title is over if Liverpool get Isak, yes," Pearce told Chronicle Live. "They've ended up investing in what they've got and bring him and his goals through the door to add to [Mohamed] Salah would be incredible. "I think if a deal does get hashed with Newcastle. I think maybe [Darwin] Nunez going in the opposite direction to Newcastle might be the way that make Newcastle better off. "In my opinion, Nunez might be the one full of energy. He might just be the one that the new Newcastle fans take to. He creates chances for himself, for sure. "He's just been a little bit wasteful over time. If he gets that right, all of a sudden he'll be a very effective replacement for Isak," Pearce continued. "So if I was Newcastle, I would say, look, if at the end of the day we're going to lose Isak, send Nunez to us and then we'll have a bash with him. "You've played at Newcastle, they just love their own players up there, especially the forwards, don't they? You know, I can see, you've seen Nunez, he goes in, he misses a chance, he misses another one, but he keeps going. "He's unshakable in that respect. And you think that's a great trait to have as a striker. It's the ones that pull their neck in and don't get into missing chances. So I think I could see him playing for Newcastle, I really could, if they needed a replacement." Contract negotiations with the Swede, handled through intermediaries, resulted in Isak being presented with a £200,000 per week package by Newcastle, a proposal that would establish him as the club's top earner in history. Addressing the circumstances, Magpies manager Eddie Howe remarked: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
