WATCH: Nick Kyrgios wears Lakers jersey ahead of Rafael Nadal clash as tribute to Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's death has got the sporting world mourning. The American basketball legend died in a helicopter crash on Sunday in California, US. His teenage daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. 

While many sports stars paid tribute to the NBA player, Australia tennis star Nick Kyrgios was seen sporting Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers jersey.  

Say!

A quick smile for the cameras before @NickKyrgios & @RafaelNadal kick off proceedings.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3eyBnCsb1X

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2020

Kyrgios was seen in the dugout wearing the jersey ahead of his Australian Open fourth round clash against Rafael Nadal.

Kyrgios then came out on the turf wearing Bryant’s jersey, to pay tributes to the legend. He also broke down in tears before the start of play.

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Paying tribute to the late great Kobe Bryant . @k1ngkyrg1os | @AusOpen | #AO2020

A post shared by Australian Open (@australianopen) on Jan 27, 2020 at 12:24am PST

Earlier, multiple Grand Slam champion doubles pair Bob and Mike Bryan played their final match at Melbourne Park before retirement with yellow tape on the backs of their legs.

It was marked with Bryant’s shirt number, 24, and nickname, Mamba. 

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic called Kobe Bryant his “mentor”, in a tweet. He spoke about his relationship with the former Los Angeles Laker in an interview. 

My heart truly mourns over the news today. Kobe was a great mentor and friend to me. You and your daughter will live forever in our hearts. There are not enough words to express my deepest sympathies to the Bryants and every family suffering from this tragedy. RIP my friend pic.twitter.com/VRmgaOaITT

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 27, 2020

“My heart truly mourns over the news today. Kobe was a great mentor and friend to me. You and your daughter will live forever in our hearts. There are not enough words to express my deepest sympathies to the Bryants and every family suffering from this tragedy. RIP my friend,” he wrote.

Rafael Nadal also paid tribute expressing his condolences. “I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsman in the world,” the Spaniard wrote.