Tennis Ace Kyrgios Offers Food to Anyone Having Tough Time

Nick Kyrgios at 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Australian tennis player, Nick Kyrgios has attracted a lot of attention recently with an act of compassion he posted on social media offering to help those having a tough time. He had received over 90,000 likes, as of 12 p.m. April 7, for the message he posted on Instagram.

This is not the first time the former junior tennis champion has used his profile to help others during a crisis. During the bushfires that recently swept through Australia, he offered to donate $200 (US$122) for every ace he served during the Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne. His efforts moved U.S. legend John McEnroe to donate a further $1,000 for each set Kyrgios won during the tournament. About $45,000 was generated, it also inspired others to donate, bringing the final total to over $90,000.

Canberra-born Kyrgios is also known for his on-court incidents. Early this year he was fined $37,000 and given a 16-week ban from the Association of Tennis Professionals for “aggravated behavior.” During a match in Cincinnati, the 24-year-old used abusive language towards an umpire and smashed two racquets.

The ATP tour is currently suspended until the end of the month, though it could last longer with upcoming tournaments, Wimbledon and the French Open already postponed. Many sporting events around the world have either been postponed—including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for one year—or canceled altogether as many countries are in lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 disease.