There is the odd protest – with puzzle pieces and confetti – but by and large these Wimbledon Championships are an escape the second spectators walk through the gates, last year’s General Election being a prime example. Not a peep about politics.
On Thursday, Neal Skupski could have been forgiven for getting distracted. The British doubles player was born in Liverpool and is a massive Liverpool FC fan.
Skupski had evidently learned of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, posting “Tragic news. YNWA” on X before his match here, which the three-time Wimbledon champion went on to win in the evening alongside men’s doubles partner and compatriot Joe Salisbury.
Tragic news. YNWA
— Neal Skupski (@nealskupski) July 3, 2025In a small huddle, he reveals why this day, why this tournament, has been extra difficult.
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Admirably, he continues on Jota: “It was a bit strange this morning. You’re on Twitter, you see something like a headline about Jota in Spanish, and you didn’t know what it was, but it’s along the lines of accident. And it’s like, has he actually really died here?
“Yeah it was really tough to take with his passing. Him and his brother, it’s a tough one for the whole family. My condolences go out to his family and it must be heart-break for them at the moment, so the more privacy they get the better.”
“I’ve spoke to some people today who are connected to Liverpool and they basically say he’s not just an amazing footballer, but the person he was, he was incredible, so down to earth, very nice.
Skupski won the men’s doubles title with Wesley Koolhof in 2023 (Photo: Getty)
Skupski is then thanked for even attending, for talking to the media. He says he only found out about his grandmother’s passing some 30 minutes after getting off court.
“Obviously I’ve only just found out, but walking onto the tennis court is only going to help me take my mind off it,” Skupski says.
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“I’m glad I’ve had time to know it was coming, rather than just ‘Boom’ and she’s died out of the blue. I’ve been able to come to terms she was coming to an end. It’s part of life, it will be a tough one for my family tonight and the next few days.”
It’s a surreal press conference, switching between a tragedy that has rocked the sporting world and a personal one that he has only just learned of.
And so: back to this bubble. How has Skupski been able to shut all this out? To focus on something that feels so trivial at times like this?
“I’m quite bubbly on the practice courts, quite good with energy, but maybe the team have seen I’m not myself. But I think people, like my brother, my coach, he had spoken to some of the coaches that we work with and told them the situation.
Both Skupski and Salisbury happened to be stateside in September 2022 when Queen Elizabeth died. Salisbury in fact beat Skupski in the US Open men’s doubles final the day after her passing.
“Once we step on the court we try and focus on that and put everything aside. Neal’s done a great job with that, really tough day for him, and it’s going to be a tough couple weeks.
“In some ways it helps put things in perspective, and takes a little pressure off or changes your mindset once you step onto the court, which can seem like the be all and end all when you’re playing in the biggest tournaments. There’s obviously a lot of bigger things.”
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