In an unprecedented decision, Wimbledon is set to relax its famous ‘all-white clothing’ rule in its efforts to honor the death of Liverpool football star Diogo Jota. The Portuguese player, aged only 28, passed away on Thursday, July 3, in a car accident just days after his marriage to long-time girlfriend Rute Cardoso.
In light of the incident, Wimbledon will allow players to wear a black armband in remembrance of the Liverpool forward, as reported by the Daily Mail. According to the rules, players cannot wear clothes with any solid mass or coloring at the moment, with only a thin trim (10mm maximum) of color allowed around the neckline.
“There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring*. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeves is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm),” the Wimbledon official rules state.
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Portuguese doubles player Francisco Cabral is one of the first tennis players to get on board with the idea, confirming that he will do so in his second-round men's doubles match.
‘Yeah, of course, I'm open to do it. I'll be very, very happy to [wear a black armband]," he said in his on-court interview.
Cabral also talked at length about how the death of his fellow countryman has affected him, saying:
"Very, very sad news, not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall, because he's such an idol, such an icon, such a good person. I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it."
"I know what he’s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he's just very inspiring for me."
Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Martina Navratilova mourn Diogo Jota's death
Tennis stars Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Martina Navratilova have shared emotional messages mourning Diogo Jota's death, taking to social media to show their sorrow over the tragedy.
"What a sad & and painful news. All my love, affection, and support to his wife, children, family, and friends during such a difficult time. Rest in Peace, Diogo Jota," Nadal wrote on Instagram.
Alcaraz also took to Instagram to share his tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, who was in the car with the Portuguese when the accident happened.
"Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. My sincere condolences to your loved ones."
Navratilova, meanwhile, took to X to express a similar sentiment. Jota had won the Premier League for the first time this year and had also won the Nations League with Portugal earlier this month.
