Nick Kyrgios’ ‘heartbreak’ behind bushfire exhibition suggestion, pledges $200 per ace

Nick Kyrgios has sparked a new movement within Australian tennis, leading the charge for donations with an incredible offer.

Australia's Nick Kyrgios speaks during a press conference at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane on January 2, 2020. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Tennis Australia has responded after Nick Kyrgios floated the idea of an exhibition tournament to raise funds for people affected by fires.

The governing body has told fans to “stay tuned” with some announcements expected in the near future with plans to help raise money for the bushfires.

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But Kyrgios has gone one better, digging into his own pocket.

I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

As one of the biggest servers in tennis, this should see Krygios digging deep for the cause.

It quickly became a rallying cry for his Aussie teammates.

Alex de Minaur has decided to donate $250 per ace “because I don’t think I’ll be hitting as many aces as you mate”.

Let’s go 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 https://t.co/cvgdinFMjo

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

Kyrgios also got behind John Millman, who also offered to donate $100 for every ace.

My boy 💦💦💦💦🔥 https://t.co/JaaVDabwXk

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

Sam Stosur ($200 per serve), John Peers ($100), Priscilla Hon ($50), Storm Sanders and Ellen Perez ($10) also made the pledge.

👑👑👑 King Kyrgios

— Ryan Reynolds (@Reynolds_R) January 2, 2020

This could be the turning point for Nick Kyrgios. Let’s hope so

— wally mason (@walmason) January 2, 2020

There's a lot of space in my head. Plenty of room for Kyrgios, whose talents as a tennis player I admir. He is one of the most naturally gifted players on the tour. Too often in the past he has spoiled it by behaving like an entitled, immature galoot. Hopefully that is changing

— wally mason (@walmason) January 2, 2020

Awesome work, this. Just imagine the noise whenever Kyrgios serves an ace at the #AO2020 - let’s hope he goes deep this year 💰 https://t.co/2x4CetHI47

— Lachie Young (@lachie_young) January 2, 2020

#Canberra's own Nick Kyrgios taking fire fundraising matters into his own hands like the champ he is... and pulling in other players too! 👏👏👏 #NSWfires https://t.co/MH1rWK5osl

— Anna Vidot (@AnnaVidot) January 2, 2020

Kyrgios took to social media on Wednesday night with the suggestion, which was met with widespread enthusiasm.

C’mon @TennisAustralia surely we can do a pre @AustralianOpen exho to raise funds for those affected by the fires? 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 1, 2020

Great shout that https://t.co/Ru8jrouVfq

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) January 1, 2020

Great idea

— Natalie Peters (@nataliejpeters) January 1, 2020

Kyrgios was also asked about the post on Thursday during a press conference ahead of the ATP Cup.

“The more exposure it gets I think we have the potential to do something pretty special there,” Kyrgios told media.

“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.”

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.

Nick Kyrgios prepares for the ATP Cup.

Last year Kyrgios, John 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.

“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.”

— with AAP