Nick Kyrgios unveils stunning tattoo in tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant after he died in helicopter tragedy

  • Nick Kyrgios' new tattoo tribute honours Kobe Bryant and features Lebron James
  • The 24-year-old wore Bryant's jersey at the Australian Open after his death
  • He said 'we can never emulate what he did but there can be moments we can try' 
  • Bryant died in a helicopter crash with his daughter and seven others in January
  • Kyrgios has delivered essential items to Australians in need during COVID-19
  • 'I will be more than happy to share whatever I have,' Kyrgios wrote on Instagram 

Nick Kyrgios has revealed his stunning new tattoo in tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

The polarising Australian tennis star unveiled his new sleeve tattoo on his right arm which features the LA Lakers legend, along with Lebron James and Michael Jordan's Nike sneakers. 

'Basketball is my life, I play tennis, but I follow basketball every day,' Kyrgios said in an Instagram post.

Nick Kyrgios has revealed his new tattoo tribute to fallen basketball star Kobe Bryant

Nick Kyrgios has revealed his new tattoo tribute to fallen basketball star Kobe Bryant

The 24-year-old famously wore Bryant's jersey on to Rod Laver Arena for his fourth round match at the Australian Open against Rafael Nadal on the day of his death. 

'That was a tough day for everyone, but for me personally I struggled a lot. I was crying when I walked out on court that day,' he said.

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in January along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

Kyrgios enlisted the work of esteemed artist David Chavez for the piece, who worked on the world number 40 in his home to complete the artwork.

Bryant is a hero of Kyrgios, who wore his jersey while getting the tattoo and had the acronym GOAT inked beneath Bryant's figure in the piece.  

'I definitely wanted to get something in memory of him,' Kyrgios said. 'We can never really emulate what he did but there can be moments where we can try.'

Kyrgios' tattoo on his right arm features Kobe Bryant, along with Lebron James and Michael Jordan's Nike sneakers

Kyrgios' tattoo on his right arm features Kobe Bryant, along with Lebron James and Michael Jordan's Nike sneakers

Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena wearing Bryant's Lakers jersey before his clash with Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open

Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena wearing Bryant's Lakers jersey before his clash with Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open

Kyrgios' tennis commitments have been postponed due to the coronavirus and he has spent his time between training sessions by helping people who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He shared a photo of boxes of food on Saturday as he did his part to help some of the thousands of families struggling financially.

'Deliveries in progress,' he captioned the photo.

His mother, Norlaila, also shared a photo on Instagram showing a huge display of food and essential household items.

'Dining room or food distribution centre?' She said. 

On Monday, he extended a helping hand to those struggling financially as thousands are left without work as the coronavirus pandemic forces businesses to close. 

'If ANYONE is not working/not getting an income and runs out of food, or times are just tough... please don't go to sleep with an empty stomach,' he wrote.

'Don't be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. I will be more than happy to share whatever I have.

Kyrgious took to Instagram on Saturday where he shared a photo of boxes of food as he did his part to help some of the thousands of Australians struggling financially

Kyrgious took to Instagram on Saturday where he shared a photo of boxes of food as he did his part to help some of the thousands of Australians struggling financially

His mother, Norlaila, also shared a photo on Instagram showing a huge display of food and essential household items

His mother, Norlaila, also shared a photo on Instagram showing a huge display of food and essential household items

On  Monday, Kyrgios posted this message in the hopes of helping those struggling during the pandemic

On  Monday, Kyrgios posted this message in the hopes of helping those struggling during the pandemic

'Even just for a box of noodles, a loaf of bread or some milk. I will drop it off at your doorstep, no questions asked.'

The generosity comes as more than a million Australians face being unemployed, equating to one in ten of the country's working population of 12.5 million. 

Businesses across the country have been forced to close in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without work. 

This is not the first time the tennis star has offered to help struggling Australians, showing a different side to his character in the lead up to this year's Australian Open.

He had called on the tennis world to help the victims of Australia's bushfire crisis and triggered an appeal that raised millions of dollars. 

He is the most recent tennis star to help coronavirus sufferers after Novak Djokovic last week pledged one million euros to help buy medical equipment in his home-country of Serbia.

Rafael Nadal called on Spanish athletes to help him raise 11million euros and Roger Federer contributed one million Swiss Francs to help people doing it tough in Switzerland.

Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios embrace after their fourth round match at the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios embrace after their fourth round match at the Australian Open

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Nick Kyrgios unveils tattoo tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant after he died in helicopter tragedy

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