American tennis star Jessica Pegula says she is proudly wearing injured NFL star Damar Hamlin’s number three on her playing skirt this Australian Open.
Pegula, the daughter of Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula – the team Hamlin plays for, said she wanted to show her support for the player who made headlines around the world when he collapsed on-field before shockingly being revived by club medical staff in distressing scenes.
Remarkably, Hamlin has made a miracle recovery and since been released from hospital.
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After her first round win on Monday, Pegula signed her name and Hamlin’s number three on the camera.
And on Wednesday she continued her tributes to the injured NFL safety by revealing her touching tribute on her playing outfit – while thanking fans for the Bills merchandise in the stands.
“I saw a Buffalo Bills flag somewhere – I swear the guy he doesn’t stop holding it. I don’t know how his arms are still OK,” she said post second-round win.
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“One of the football players obviously had a really tragic accident and it’s just trying to show some support.
“Bridge Australia and Buffalo, New York. Bridge those two together.
“He’s recovered amazing so it’s awesome to see.”
Pegula said she knew she wanted to pay tribute to Hamlin, but had to find time to get her outfit organised.
“I definitely wanted to do something on my outfit,” she said.
“I was in Sydney when it happened so I didn’t have time to do it there. We were kind of figuring out what the Bills and (fellow Buffalo franchise) Sabres would doing.
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“It ended up being the 3. I thought it would be cool and fun way to connect with the team.”
Pegula laughed as she recounted the puzzled reactions she got to wearing the number three on her outfit – given that’s her current tennis ranking.
“Ironically I’m number three as well,” she said.
“I saw someone tweet: ‘Why would you put your number on your skirt?’ (laughs). That’s not why.”
Pegula was on the bench playing United Cup for the US when the Hamlin accident occurred.
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But the US Open hopeful said she was determined to put her “emotions aside” and carry on.
“I feel like when I go out on court, everything else shuts off,” she said.
“I’m not doing anything special to do that but I’m lucky that way.
“Tennis is fun for me, it’s competing. You have to be focused and ready to play.”
