Tennis star Nick Kyrgios was moved to tears as he reflected on the deadly Australian bushfires sweeping through Australia following his victory at the ATP Cup.
On Friday, Kyrgios beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets (6-4, 7-6) in Brisbane, raising AU$4,000 for victims of the bushfires in the process.
The 24-year-old had pledged before the tournament he'd domate AU$200 for every ace he hits at every tournament he enters in January. He hit 20 against Struff.
Kyrgios' commitment saw a number of other tennis players, and athletes from other sports in australia deciding to donate to similar causes.
The Canberra native is often considered the bad boy of tennis for his emotional behavior and outbursts, but he struggled to hold back the tears when discussing the impact of the bushfires on his hometown.
"I don't really care about the praise too much, I just think we've got the ability and the platform to do something like that," said Kyrgios.
"Obviously my hometown's Canberra and we've got the most toxic air in the world at the moment. It's pretty sad. It's tough.
"It's tough to go out there and concentrate on tennis, to be honest. Every ace I was hitting that's all I was thinking about. Every time I stepped up to the line that's all I was thinking about."
At least 19 people have died and 28 are missing and more than 1,500 homes or buildings have been destroyed in the continuing fires.
Fellow Australian teammates Alex de Minaur and John Millman also said they would contribute and the ATP Cup itself will also donate $100 per ace.
Tennis Australia has committed a AU$100 donation for every ace served at the ATP Cup in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.
The first day of the tournament saw AU$21,600 raised for the Australian Red Cross bushfire disaster relief after the players hit 216 aces.
With a number of tennis' biggest stars in Australia ahead of the Australian Open, staring on January 20, Kyrgios said an exhibition charity event should be organised to raise more funds.
On Friday, Tennis Australia responded by announcing "Rally For Relief", an exhibition match on Rod Laver Arena on 15 January.
Tennis Australia says "many of the world's best players" will take part, with others involved to be revealed in the coming days.
"It is heartbreaking to see the devastation the bushfires are wreaking across the country and to see so many people and communities suffering," said Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley.
"We are working closely with the top players and have already had a great response, with many of them keen to help this incredibly important cause.
"We look forward to providing an evening of great tennis and entertainment to raise as much money as we can for bushfire relief."
Along with Australian Tennis, Illawarra Hawks guard LaMeo Ball said he'll donate one month of his NBL salary to help victims, while Big Bash League captains, Brisbane Heat's Chris Lynn and Melbourne Stars' Glenn Maxwell, have both pledged $250 for each six they hit in the competition.
Australia's cricketers will also auction off signed shirts from the Boxing Day test.
