Wimbledon 2025 is underway. The dress code is, was, and will always be all-white attire during players’ matches at the All England Club. However, the iconic tournament is making a slight adjustment to the all-white dress code mid tournament for players because of the tragic death of Portugese footballer Diogo Jota.
Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain on Thursday morning. Making the accident even more tragic was the fact that Jota was a newlywed, married just ten days ago.
Wimbledon is responding to the tragedy by allowing players to veer from the usual Wimbledon whites in one specific way. Players can wear a black armband in Jota’s honor during their matches.
#Wimbledon organisers have said players will be allowed to pay tribute to Diogo Jota with black armbands on court
Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral said he planned to do so in the next round https://t.co/1A5MGv56zG
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 3, 2025
It is unclear how many players will do this, but Portugese men’s doubles player Francisco Cabral has said that he will. Cabral and partner Lucas Miedler defeated Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram in their first round match on Thursday. Tennis players, particularly the Europeans, are fans of soccer and have friendships with soccer players so more players may decide to wear the black armband.
Wimbledon Dress Code Through The Years
Fans may have noticed that players are taking advantage of the other dress code change that has transpired in recent years. It used to be that players had to wear all-white including any shorts or undergarments that are visible.
Wait a minute… what’s up with the colorful compression shorts?
First grass-matching green ones worn by Pegula. Now Sabalenka with grey ones.
Electronic lines? Colorful shorts?
What’s next for a normally tradition-guided #Wimbledon ?
— Jane Voigt (@downthetee) July 2, 2025
That officially changed in 2022, and female players, in particular, are more readily wearing dark shorts and garments underneath their skirts.
The tournament is not likely to make any other dress code changes, but it is comforting to know the powers that be are receptive to a temporary adjustment to pay respects to Diogo Jota.
Watch the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on ESPN and ESPN+ through July 13.
