A TOP Portuguese tennis player plans to wear a black armband at Wimbledon in honour of the late Diogo Jota – and he has backing from the All England Club to do so.
Liverpool forward Jota, 28, died in a car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora in northwestern Spain.
His brother Andre was also killed in the incident on the Rias Bajas Highway A-52 near Palacios de Sanabria.
It happened 10 days after the player married his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, with whom he has three children.
Francisco Cabral, a leading doubles player, grew up in the same city, Porto, as Jota and they had shared acquaintances.
Cabral, 28, was travelling to Wimbledon for his first-round men’s doubles tie with Austrian partner Lucas Miedler when he heard about the tragic news.
The pair ended up beating Scotland’s Jamie Murray and American Rajeev Ram 7-6 6-3 but the tragedy was in his mind
Wimbledon sources say players who wished to pay tribute to Jota would be allowed to wear a black armband during tennis matches.
This is despite the tournament’s strict all-white dress code for the Championships fortnight.
Cabral gave an emotional interview when he talked about his fellow countrymen and someone he had admired from afar.
He said: “I didn’t know him personally. But I know a friend who knew him. A great guy.
“Obvioiusly, very, very sad news. Not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall.
“He’s such an idol. Such an icon. Such a good person. I am very sad to hear what happened.
“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.
“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.”
Asked if he would be willing to wear a black armband in tribute, Cabral said: “I’m open to doing it.
“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.
“Of course, I would be open to (a one-minute silence). He’s such a legend of our country.”
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