Australian star Nick Kyrgios has taken to social media to unveil his new tattoo dedicated to basketball legend Kobe Bryant….
Kyrgios unveils classy Kobe Bryant tribute tattoo [VIDEO]
Nick Kyrgios has revealed his Kobe Bryant tattoo (Photo: Instagram)
Australian star Nick Kyrgios has taken to social media to unveil his new tattoo dedicated to basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
Kyrgios – a massive basketball fan – showed off his incredible new sleeve in a series of clips on Instagram. The artwork includes images of Bryant and Lebron James, along with Michael Jordan through a pair of his famous Nike Jordan sneakers.
Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers tragically died in a helicopter crash in January.
“When I saw the image, I realised it was that,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram video. “I wanted to tattoo something from Kobe after everything that happened.”
Kyrgios honoured Bryant in a touching tribute at the Australian Open on the day he passed away, walking out onto court for his fourth round clash against Rafael Nadal in the NBA legend’s original No. 8 Lakers jersey.
“I wore his shirt the day he died at the Australian Open and cried during that day,” Kyrgios said. “I watch basketball every day and it is an important part of my life. I can never imitate what Kobe did, but there may be times in my life when I try.”
Kyrgios has returned to his home in Canberra after the tennis season shut down in March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The 24-year-old has again showcased his charitable side during the crisis, offering to personally deliver essential items to those doing it tough.
Kyrgios was in encouraging form before the season was suspended, helping Australia make the ATP Cup semi-finals before reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, going down in four tight sets to Nadal.
The Australian withdrew from his last tournament in Acapulco in late February, where he was the defending champion, due to injury. All forms of tennis have been suspended until July 13 at the earliest.
