Rhiannon Ingle
A famous tennis player has shared his touching reaction to Wimbledon breaking its strict 148-year rule following Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota's tragic passing.
The news broke yesterday (3 July) that Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother, footballer Andre Silva, were involved in a fatal car crash around 12.30am that morning, with the Spanish Guardia Civil confirming the pair were found dead after their car went off a road near the city of Zamora.
According to the Guardia Civil, the brothers' car veered off the road before crashing and catching fire. The emergency services rushed to the scene, but they were unable to save them. Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Just a matter of days before the crash, the Portuguese footballer married his long-term girlfriend and mother to his three young children, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony in Porto on 22 June.
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Following his untimely death, Wimbledon has decided to make an amendment to its incredibly strict rule, which was first imposed way back when in 1877, for the first time ever.
Under these special circumstances, the major sporting event will allow the tennis players to honour Jota if they choose to do so by breaking the tournament’s all white dress-code to wear black armbands.
Since the announcement was made, fellow Portuguese native, tennis player Francisco Cabral, has since spoken out following Jota's death - news which he heard in the car on the way to his Wimbledon doubles match yesterday (3 July).
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Partnered up with Austrian Lucas Miedler, Cabral defeated Scotland’s Jamie Murray and American Rajeev Ram.
Cabral shared in a post-match interview: "I didn’t know him personally. But I know a friend who knew him. A great guy.
"Obviously, very, very sad news. Not only in the sports world, but in Portugal overall.
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"He’s such an idol. Such an icon. Such a good person. I am very sad to hear what happened."
He continued the touching tribute: "I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I wish all the best for his family. He had great people around him. I hope they can get through it.
"He was really hard working, what he had come through, what he had conquered in his career and life. Very inspiring for me.
"He plays in the national team. One of the best teams in the world. I followed the games and when he scored, I was happy for him.
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"In the back of my head while I was playing, I was sad as everyone is in Portugal. I had to play the game. I had to focus on my game. I’m sad, of course."
In his match against Czech Republic duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl today, Cabral could be seen with a black ribbon pinned to his left shirt sleeve.
Cabral said before the match: "I need to get a black strip to put on my shirt. If someone can arrange that for me, I will be very, very happy to do it.
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"Of course, I would be open to [a one-minute silence]. He’s such a legend of our country."