Advertisement

'Pretty special': Aussie stars join Nick Kyrgios in incredible bushfire pledge

Australian Associated Press

Nick Kyrgios has sparked an incredible response from the Australian tennis community after pledging to donate $200 to bushfire victims for every ace he hits across the summer.

Tennis Australia say plans are in place to support those impacted by the country's bushfires after Kyrgios's proposal for a charity exhibition match to raise funds ahead of this month's Australian Open gained rapid support.

‘LOST EVERYTHING’: League legend loses house of 35 years in bushfires

‘INAPPROPRIATE’: Scott Morrison slammed over comments on bushfires and cricket

The world No.30 posted his idea to Twitter late on Wednesday and by Thursday afternoon the concept was gathering pace.

"The more exposure it gets I think we have the potential to do something pretty special there," Kyrgios told media ahead of the inaugural ATP Cup, where he'll represent Australia in Brisbane from Friday.

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here speaking during a press conference at the ATP Cup.
Nick Kyrgios speaks during a press conference at the ATP Cup. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

"All the heartbreak this summer; it's pretty tragic what's going on, especially with my hometown, Canberra, being under a bit of smoke, the most hazardous smoke in the world at the moment.

"To see Canberra like that, it's pretty tough to see."

Kyrgios later tweeted that he would donate $200 for every ace he hit this summer, while Australian teammate Alex de Minaur responded saying he'd go to $250 per ace because "I don't think I'll be hitting as many aces as you mate."

Fellow Aussie stars John Millman and Sam Stosur also got in on the act, while the ATP Cup pledged to donate $100 for every ace hit at the 10-day event starting Friday.

Tennis Australia planning fundraisers

On Thursday morning Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said the public should "stay tuned" for the announcement of a number of initiatives, beginning at the inaugural ATP Cup to be played between Sydney, Perth and Brisbane from Friday.

Many of the game's headline acts, including world No.1 Rafael Nadal and No.2 Novak Djokovic, are in Australia to play in the newly-minted teams event ahead of the year's first grand slam at Melbourne Park.

Last year Kyrgios, Millman, Nadal and Milos Raonic played an exhibition match in Sydney in a Team Australia vs Team World Fast4 format.

Australian ATP Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt said the Australian Open's status as one of the country's biggest events meant they had a platform to provide significant support.

John Millman, Chris Guccione, Lleyton Hewitt, Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios and John Peers, pictured here at an ATP Cup media conference. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Team Australia members John Millman, Chris Guccione, Lleyton Hewitt, Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios and John Peers speak at an ATP Cup media conference. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

"Christmas and the new year should be a happy time for these families and lots of these people are doing it pretty tough out there," he said.

"So I think all of us feel like we would like to help in some way."

The deadly fires continue to burn across the country and Tiley said Tennis Australia "wanted to help these communities in a meaningful way".

"For weeks we've been watching the devastation caused by bushfires across Australia and the people affected are constantly in our thoughts," he said.

"We ... will announce a number of fund raising and support initiatives that will be rolled out across the ATP Cup, Australian Open and our other events over the coming weeks.

"Stay tuned for further announcements."