Nick Kyrgios' beautiful act after nasty incident with young fan
A young tennis fan at the Australian Open got a bit more than he bargained for after copping a powerfully hit Nick Kyrgios smash to the stomach during his doubles match on Tuesday afternoon.
The youngster copped the brutal blow mid-way through the first set of Kyrgios' doubles quarter final alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
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After a Kokkinakis fault, Kyrgios spiked the return back hard, only for it to bounce straight over the lower walls of Kia Arena and into the unsuspecting young fan.
Kyrgios reacted immediately after realising his shot had ricocheted into the crowd, covering his mouth in dismay before jogging to his bag.
The packed crowd cheered as Kyrgios pulled a new racquet from his bag and handed up to the young fan he'd hit by way of apology.
Nick Kyrgios accidentally hit a kid in the crowd with a wayward shot... 😳
So he gives him his RACKET in a special moment. 👏❤️#AusOpen - Live on 9Now pic.twitter.com/pZ4ooL7ljY— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 25, 2022
"It was coming in quick. That ball took off into the crowd and I don't think anyone was expecting it," commentators observed.
"I think he's OK, I think he will recover."
Kyrgios was praised on social media for his quick response, while Channel 9 reporter Clint Stanaway reported soon afterwards that the young fan was all OK.
Nick Kyrgios just smashed a returned ball (which was dead because it was a fault) into the court and it flew into the stands and then hit a young kid in the head.
The kid then looked a bit upset, so Kyrgios reached into his kitbag and gifted the little fella a racquet. #AusOpen— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) January 25, 2022
This is 9-year-old Fin Crane! Thankfully, he’s all ok after getting accidentally cleaned up after errant ball flew into the crowd at the Kyrgios/Kokkinakis match - @NickKyrgios made sure he goes home with a nice souvenir! What a little legend #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/VntUaJa0T7
— Clint Stanaway (@cstanaway) January 25, 2022
Nice moment from Nick Kyrgios in giving one of his rackets to a young fella in the crowd who got smoked by a ball. The people's champion #AusOpen
— Christopher Reive (@ChrisReive) January 25, 2022
A story in four acts.
Nick Kyrgios accidentally hit a child in the crowd with a ball. He gave the kid a racquet and then the kid gave us the best smile of the tournament.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Coqc6Wsa7l— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 25, 2022
@NickKyrgios gets a racquet out of his bag and passes it up to a boy in the crowd who was hit by his ball and started crying. The boy has told officials he fine! #AusOpen @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/Rb9N2uESRw
— Chantelle Francis (@Chantelle_Fran) January 25, 2022
Kyrgios, Kokkinakis determined to earn Australian Open glory
The 'Special Ks' reached the quarter-finals with a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over 15th seeds Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar in front of a full house at Kia Arena on Sunday, having already upset top-ranked Croatian duo Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the second round.
Immediately after the match, Kyrgios quipped "we're winning it" and he doubled down in the pair's press conference.
"This is actually our best run in a grand slam ever. So I think we've come with age and matured a little bit, I know I have definitely," he said.
"So I'm just excited, I'm going to do everything I can tonight, get a good rest, recover, train. Listen to me.
"I'll be ready to go. I definitely think we've got a good shot at winning this."
Their golden run could have further consequences, with the Kyrgios-Kokkinakis combination shaping as a potential winner for Australia's Davis Cup qualifier against Hungary in Sydney in early March.
The Australians' form and on-court showmanship have reignited interest in the men's doubles tournament at Melbourne Park, with patriotic and often boisterous crowds flocking to their matches.
"We are bringing the game to new levels. Not just on the doubles court. I saw the TV ratings up like 45 per cent, mate, let's just get this clear," Kyrgios said.
"But let's just be honest. People come to see (Kokkinakis) play because he's exciting. We need it for the sport."
With AAP
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