MELBOURNE – As Nick Kyrgios took the court at Rod Laver Arena
on Monday for a super-hyped contest against Rafael Nadal he was
wearing a familiar jersey, blue and purple, reading Bryant and 8 at
the back.
He wore through the pre-match warm up before taking it off for the
Australian Open fourth round clash with the Spanish champion.
Kyrgios was just one of the dozens of former and current players who
paid tribute to the Lakers legend upon hearing the news of his death
in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles that also took the lives of
eight other people including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, known
as Gigi.
Before the match a tribute video to Bryant was played on the big
screen of Melbourne Park's biggest arena.
Over at Melbourne Arena, all-American duo Coco Gauff and Catherine
McNally played their doubles match with the numbers 8 and 24, as well
as "RIP Kobe," "RIP Gigi" and "mamba mentality" written on their
shoes, spelling out the numbers again after coming back from a set
down to win.
Mamba mentality is the expression used by Bryant to decribe his
relentless and intense focus both in matches and training.
"This one is for Kobe," Gauff tweeted afterwards.
Bryant was a big fan of tennis. He picked up the sport after retiring
from basketball and even wrote a young adult novel, titled "Legacy
and the Queen," about a young black woman and her tennis match
against a superstar known as "The Queen" which he promoted at the US
Open last year.
At Arthur Ashe Stadium that year he sat in then-defending champion
Naomi Osaka's box. The Japanese star, who exited the Australian Open
last week, paid a touching tribute to her "Big bro," opening "I don't
really know what to do so I am writing you this letter."
"My heart truly mourns over the news today. Kobe was a great mentor
and friend to me. You and your daughter will live forever in our
hearts," world number two Novak Djokovic tweeted with a picture of
the two champions together.
United States' Coco Gauff, front, and compatriot Caty McNally wear a tribute to Kobe Bryant on their shoes during their doubles match at the Australian Open. Photo: Dita Alangkara/AP Photo
"There are not enough words to express my deepest sympathies to the
Bryants and every family suffering from this tragedy. RIP my friend,"
Djokovic added.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, who exited the
tournament last week, posted that she was heartbroken by the news:
"This is incredibly difficult to process.
"I will never forget your generosity, and the time you set aside in
some of my most difficult moments. I am forever grateful. My heart is
with you and your beautiful family."
Following his fourth round defeat, French 10th seed Gael Monfils said
he was "devastated" to hear the news.
"I was really, really sad, because it was someone that for sure I was
looking up growing up and someone very special. To be honest with
you, really devastated by that, because it means quite a lot for me,"
the Frenchman said.
"I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of
one of the greatest sportsman in the world. Kobe Bryant, his daughter
Gianna and other passengers. My condolences to his wife and families.
I am in shock," 19-time Grand Slam champion Nadal tweeted.
"Terribly sad to wake up to this news today. RIP Kobe Bryant. Too
young. Deepest condolences to family and friends of the sporting
legend," the 81-year-old wrote.
"Life can be so cruel. Tough to take in this terrible tragedy. RIP
Kobe. Sending my sincere condolences to the Bryant family," two-time
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova wrote.
Stan Wawrinka just wrote "RIP legend" on Instagram to accompany a
picture of himself with the basketball star at the 2008 Olympics
before winning his quarter-final match against Daniil Medvedev.
"This is a horrible tragedy. Kobe was one of the best to ever play
the game of basketball," tennis legend Billie Jean King tweeted.
Other American players echoed King, including Madison Keys and Sloane
Stephens.
The main men's and women's tennis governing body, the ATP and the
WTA, also paid tribute to the retired basketball star.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Kobe Bryant, his
daughter, Gianna, and others on board. On behalf of everyone at the
ATP Tour, our thoughts and condolences are with the affected family
and friends at this extremely difficult time," the ATP tweeted.
"Our deepest sympathies to the family, loved ones and friends of
@kobebryant and his daughter Gianna, as well as the entire @Lakers
organization and fan base. Kobe was an incredible person whose
support and appreciation for women's sports and athletes will be
missed," the WTA wrote.