A sacred rule will be broken: Wimbledon to honor the memory of the tragically deceased Diogo Jota

The tragic death of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has sent shockwaves through the world of sport. The global football community has already expressed its condolences following this devastating event, and now the tennis world is set to join in paying tribute.

• Read also: Forever in our memory! Liverpool management retires Diogo Jota's shirt number

It has been announced that, in response to the athlete's passing, Wimbledon will make a rare exception to its most unyielding rule—a regulation that has been enforced without exception since the inaugural championship in 1877. This rule mandates that all tennis players must wear all-white attire, no exceptions.

Now, however, players will be permitted to wear black armbands as a mark of mourning for Diogo Jota. Notably, the tournament features Portuguese players for whom this gesture will hold special significance.

For example, Nuno Borges, competing in singles, and Francisco Cabral, who is playing doubles alongside Austria's Lucas Miedler.

"He is a prominent name not only in Portugal but around the world. He was a great man, with a wonderful family and three children. I wasn't able to get [a black armband] for today's [Thursday's] match, but I will try to wear it in the next round," Cabral said.