American Jessica Pegula has once again shown love to NFL player Damar Hamlin at the Australian Open, as she claimed a straight-sets victory against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Pegula, whose parents Terry and Kim Pegula are the owners of NFL franchise the Buffalo Bills, played her second-round match with a number three patch on her skirt - a dedication to Bills player Damar Hamlin who earlier this month suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest onfield.
We'll be wearing a special "3" patch on Sunday for our guy @HamlinIsland.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 6, 2023
There will be a number of tributes for Damar Hamlin across the NFL during Week 18: https://t.co/YhD5s9k2jx pic.twitter.com/SlIviqGriI
During a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin collapsed after being tackled by Bengals player Tee Higgins and received CPR on the field before being rushed to hospital, where he has gone on to make a near-miraculous recovery.
After her win, Pegula explained the patch that she wore, as well as shouting out some of the Buffalo fans in the crowd for her win.
Sending love to Damar Hamlin ❤️@JLPegula • @BuffaloBills • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/xvEHyXLS2K
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2023
“One of the football players obviously had a really tragic accident, it’s just trying to show some support and bridge Australia and Buffalo, New York, which is strange, but trying to bridge those worlds together,” Pegula said.
“He’s recovered amazing so it’s been awesome to see.”
MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels | What happened to Damar Hamlin? Timeline of Bills safety's cardiac arrest
This is not the first time that Pegula has shown love to Hamlin; the 28-year-old signed Hamlin’s jersey number as well as a message of support on a camera after her first-round victory against Jaqueline Cristian.
💙 @JLPegula after her first round win. pic.twitter.com/0olXRlZsgC
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 16, 2023
She also paid tribute to Hamlin on social media in the wake of the initial incident in early January, tweeting that “This team is family, football is family, sports bring us together like family.”
In moments like this we are reminded of perspective. It’s just a game and in the end it does not matter after what happened tonight. My prayers go out to Damar and his family. This team is family, football is family, sports bring us together like family🙏
— Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) January 3, 2023
After nine days in the hospital, Hamlin was able to leave the hospital, being discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center after a "comprehensive medical evaluation."
Miraculously, four days after being in a critical condition and requiring a breathing tube, he was able to breathe and talk with family, and even live-tweeted the Bills’ Wildcard Play-Off victory against the Miami Dolphins.
My heart is with my guys as they compete today! 🫶🏾
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) January 15, 2023
Supporting from home as I focus on my recovery. Nothing I want more than to be out there with them! LFG ❤️💙 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/gPGp5MiQEz
As for Pegula, she will now progress to the third round of the Australian Open, where she faces the winner of the match between Australian Olivia Gadecki and Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.