Nick Kyrgios’ heart beats as loudly for basketball as it does for tennis. On January 27th 2020, a day after Kobe Bryant’s demise from a helicopter crash, Kyrgios walked out to Rod Laver Arena ahead of his fourth-round Australian Open match against Rafael Nadal wearing Bryant’s iconic Los Angeles Lakers No. 8 jersey. The crowd erupted in applause when Kyrgios emerged in the yellow and purple strip. He kept the jersey on for the coin toss and warm-up, honoring Bryant’s legacy with a touching gesture. His love for basketball shines through in everything he does. This time is no different.

Since his exit at the Miami Open on March 21, Kyrgios has been off the tennis court. Wrist troubles forced him to withdraw from Indian Wells and skip Monte Carlo’s clay tournament. While he hasn’t confirmed his next match yet, he’s slowly getting back into shape through practice sessions.

On Monday, he shared an Instagram story showing him entering Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Arthur Ashe hits different 😤 practicing on these courts 🙏🏽 blessed,” he wrote, expressing his excitement about training at a venue where the US Open is held. There was one highlight that stole the show: his t-shirt with a walking tribute.

The next story from Kyrgios showed a close-up of his Kobe Bryant merch t-shirt, captioned with a simple “Kobe❤.”

Back in 2022, sharing a video on his Instagram story, Kyrgios wrote, “My practices are by far worse. Mamba always knew.” The video had a special lesson attached to it.

It had Kobe saying, “These practices are meant to be competitive. If your practices aren’t more competitive than the games themselves, you are doing the wrong thing.” Bryant further added, “most of these teams and coaches have gotten into a mindset of resting players. Oh, it’s too much. We are gonna practice lightly, light day. There’s no day off. You show up and you work. You practice, and practices are going to be worse.”

Arthur Ashe Stadium became a meaningful site for tributes to Bryant during the 2024 US Open Mixed Madness event. Tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios honored him by wearing Lakers jerseys just days before what would have been Bryant’s 46th birthday. And just last month, the 29-year-old tennis sensation experienced a couple of dream moments for any basketball enthusiast.

During a break from tennis, he had the chance to meet basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The two were spotted in the stands watching the LA Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks, and Kyrgios shared a photo of their encounter on social media. It was clear that this meeting was incredibly meaningful to him, as he grew up idolizing the NBA.

The Aussie’s love for basketball runs deep, rooted in childhood dreams of playing in the NBA. He often identifies with basketball culture, embracing its energy and style both on and off the court. Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams, once remarked that Kyrgios “brings a basketball mentality” to tennis—a unique flair that some critics find irksome but others believe tennis needs. Interestingly, Kyrgios almost chose basketball over tennis.

Nick Kyrgios makes his decision for picking tennis over basketball clear

In a January 2024 podcast, Kyrgios revealed his decision was deeply rooted in his family’s financial struggles. “I didn’t really grow up with, like, a rich family or anything,” he shared. “I realized very soon that tennis was a way to help my family and friends, provide for my people, and build a life far beyond myself.”

Kyrgios also candidly admitted that basketball was his first love but felt pursuing it professionally wasn’t realistic. Speaking with Trevor Noah, he said, “To say I would make it in the NBA—I don’t think I would. So it was just an easier route for me to make it out.” His confidence in his tennis abilities ultimately outweighed his doubts about basketball.

Interestingly, Kyrgios has never shied away from expressing his love for basketball. He even became a co-owner of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, solidifying his connection to the sport. Yet, his parents played a pivotal role in steering him toward tennis. He credits them as the gateway to his professional career, emphasizing how their support helped him navigate the challenges of an elite sport.

As Kyrgios gears up for the clay season after a year-long hiatus due to injuries, can he overcome setbacks and reignite his career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!