Wimbledon has decided to make an unprecedented change to it's dress code following the death of Liverpool football star Diogo Jota.
The tournament will permit players to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Tournament organisers have confirmed that players will now be able to request permission to wear black ribbons during their matches..
The decision comes after requests from players who wished to honour the Portuguese international. Wimbledon's dress code has historically required players to wear entirely white clothing on competition courts, with the only previous exception being made in 2022 when female players were permitted to wear dark-coloured undershorts.
Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral revealed his intention to wear a black ribbon in his next match after being unable to arrange the tribute in time for his first-round doubles victory. Cabral and his partner Lucas Miedler defeated Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram in their opening match.
Francisco Cabral (right) has vowed to wear a black armband in honour of his countryman
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Speaking after the win, Cabral said: "I have seen the very sad news.
"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."
The fatal accident occurred in the Spanish province of Zamora, where the brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini. According to the Guardia Civil, who are investigating the incident, initial findings suggest the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout whilst overtaking another car.
JUST IN: Diogo Jota cause of crash confirmed after Liverpool star died 'trying to catch ferry back to UK'
The blowout caused the sports car to veer off the road before catching fire. Both Jota and his brother died in the crash.
Jota leaves behind his wife and three children. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, with tributes pouring in from fellow athletes and football clubs across Europe.
READ MORE: Diogo Jota's wife: Who did the Liverpool footballer marry just two weeks before tragic death?
Diogo Jota has died following a car accident earlier this morning
PASpanish authorities continue their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal was among the first to pay tribute on social media before play began at SW19.
The Spaniard tweeted: "What terribly sad and painful news. All my love, affection, and support to his wife, his children, his family, and his friends in such a difficult moment. Rest in Peace, Diogo Jota and Andre Silva."
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British former doubles world No 1 Neal Skupski also shared his condolences, tweeting: "Tragic news. YNWA."
Wimbledon's dress code has been one of tennis's most stringent traditions. The 2022 modification allowing female players to wear dark undershorts represented the first significant change in decades, making this week's decision to permit black armbands particularly notable.
The All England Club will be making a rare exception
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Liverpool Football Club has expressed devastation at what they described as an "unimaginable loss". The club immediately lowered their Union Flag to half mast as a mark of respect for the player and his brother.
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