Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is known for his aggressive style of playing on the court. However, when he is not playing tennis, he is immersed in the world of basketball. His love for the sport and NBA star Kobe Bryant is well known.
Kobe was one of the biggest stars in basketball. He enjoyed a long and decorated career with the LA Lakers. Bryant even won the NBA championship with the team five times: in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. Kobe left an indelible mark on the hearts of basketball fans, and Kyrgios was no exception.
The NBA star tragically died in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter Gianna. His death left behind a void. However, his fans have taken to commemorate Bryant in many ways. Kyrgios took to social media to show off the tattoo he got in memory of Kobe. He shared a photo of the inkwork with a simple caption of “Kobe” along with an emoji of a drop of blood.
While Nick never got a chance to meet his idol, Bryant was one of the biggest driving forces in Kyrgios’ life. After the news of Kobe’s death spread, Nick walked out wearing his Lakers jersey to take on Rafael Nadal.
“I never met Kobe, but basketball is practically my life. I watch it every day. I’ve been following it for as long as I can remember. When I woke up to the news, it was pretty emotional. It was pretty heavy all day. It’s just tough. It’s horrible news,” said Kyrgios (via Fox Sports).
Kobe’s influence transcended basketball. Nick Kyrgios is not the only tennis player to remember him fondly, though. Serbian legend Novak Djokovic wore a “Mamba Forever” t-shirt after winning his 24th Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows.
Nick Kyrgios opened up about his aspirations as a child
The Australian star is one of the most entertaining players in the sport at present. Kyrgios is a joy to watch when he gets going. However, growing up, tennis was the last sport he wanted to play.
Kyrgios is an avid lover of basketball. Therefore, it is not surprising that he wanted to grow up to be a basketball player. He appeared on Mike Tyson’s podcast recently, where he spoke about his love for basketball. He confessed that his father put an end to his dreams by making him choose tennis.
Nick Kyrgios has been away from tennis for a long time due to injuries. He played just one match this year, which he lost. However, Kyrgios is hopeful to make a return next year.