Liverpool forward Diogo Jota’s death shocked the sports world early Thursday morning, prompting an emotional wave of support for the Portuguese star.
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Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in Spain after their vehicle possibly went off the road due to a blown tire. Jota’s death comes just weeks after he married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three sons. The Premier League forward scored 65 goals in 182 games for Liverpool and won both a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his five years at the club.
In response to the tragedy, Wimbledon organizers are reportedly lifting a long-standing dress rule. Players, usually required to wear all-white on court, will now be allowed to wear black armbands in Jota’s honor.
Portuguese doubles player Francisco Cabral is among those expected to wear a black armband in his next match.
The guy is a big name, not just in Portugal but in the world. He was a great human being with a nice family and three kids. My best wishes to them all. For his family, it is very tough to recover from that. I couldn’t get one in time today, but I want to in the next one.
Cabral said of an armband
Cabral and his Austrian partner, Lucas Miedler, won their first-round doubles match against Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram with scores of 7-6, 6-3. In the second round on Friday, they will play against Czech players Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.
Source: SI