NEAL SKUPSKI found out his beloved grandmother died minutes after his opening Wimbledon win.
Britain’s leading doubles star, 35, and partner Joe Salisbury fought hard to beat fellow Brits Joshua Paris and Charles Broom 6-3 5-7 6-4 in round one of the men’s doubles competition.
Once he stepped off Court 8, the bad news was relayed to him by close family members that his 98-year-old granny Mary – who had been ill for a while and was in hospital – had passed away.
It had already been a difficult day for Skupski, a big Liverpool fan, given the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Skupski, 2023 Wimbledon men’s doubles champion, said: “I have just found out that my nan passed today. So, it has been a very tough day.
“I found out once I came off court. About 30 minutes ago. She was 98. She was a fighter. Had been ill for a little bit of time.
“She didn’t die out of the blue. I have been able to come to terms with it. She was coming to the end. It’s part of life. It will be a tough few days for my family.
“We had known it was a matter of time for a few days now. It was tough to find out when I’d come off court. But I will be okay.
“She would want me to be here. She would be proud of what happened and how we fought.
“Maybe my mood has changed a bit coming up to these Championships. I’m probably quite bubbly on the practice courts, with good energy.
“Maybe the team had thought and seen I was not myself. People like my brother and coach, he spoke to some of the coaches, he maybe told them the situation. It’s Wimbledon now, it’s my job.
“She would have wanted me to have fought. We are here and want to win the whole thing. Being on the court will take my mind off it.
“My nan was a massive supporter of me. I spent the most time growing up with her. She was the closest grandparent I had.”
On Thursday, the All England Club announced it would relax its strict all-white rules in light of the Jota tragedy so people could wear black armbands in tribute.
Skupski – who had been to the Liverpool training HQ and even played padel there – is considering donning one for his next appearance.
The three-time Wimbledon doubles champion said: “It’s been a tough day for Liverpool fans. I found out this morning that Jota had passed away.
“A bit strange this morning. You’re on Twitter and see a headline about Jota in Spanish. But it’s along the lines of ‘accident’ and it’s in black-and-white.
“Has he actually died? You think your heroes or sportsmen or people you look up to, they’re invincible.
“It shows everyone’s human. Things come at you. You don’t know what is around the corner.
“It was really tough to take. Him and his brother. A tough one for his whole family. He got married a few weeks ago. He has three kids.
“My condolences go out to his family. It must be heartbreaking for them at the moment. The more privacy they get the better.
“When I was at Liverpool, I met the whole team. Diogo was there. I spoke to some people today who are connected to Liverpool and they say, not only was he an amazing footballer, but he was so down-to-earth.
“A great finisher. But also someone who kept the whole dressing room together, making it run so smoothly.
“It will be a big loss for Liverpool. I am sure they will do something in their memory.”
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