Tennis community pays tribute to NBA legend, Kobe Bryant

The tennis community has been paying its tribute to basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away on Sunday.

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna were among the nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California.

The 41-year-old played for the Los Angeles Lakers all through his career, winning five NBA titles. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have played the game, Bryant also won two Olympic Gold medals, powering the United States to victory in 2008 and 2012.

Bryant retired in 2016 after a 20-year career with the LA Lakers, having amassed 33,643 regular season points- the fourth best on the NBA’s all-time list.

Bryant leaves behind his wife, Vanessa, and three other daughters – Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

The tennis community has joined the rest of the world in honouring the legendary American, with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Simona Halep and Kim Clijsters among many who have paid their tributes to the departed Bryant.

 

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

 

One of the greatest sportsmen of our lifetime. RIP ? pic.twitter.com/29R7IjexUj

— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) January 26, 2020

 

RIP Kobe Bryant and all those who lost their lives today ?

Your loss puts everything in perspective.

Thank you for inspiring so many of us to follow our dreams

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 27, 2020

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zLZKXATJq/?igshid=jj4jxyfyp03q

Kobe – you were a true inspiration to me as an athlete. I always admired your professionalism, drive and dedication. Our thoughts are with your loved ones. RIP. ? pic.twitter.com/q9HLczKKo8

— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) January 26, 2020

 

Inspiration.Icon.Legend.

It’s hard to believe that he is gone.
We will miss you.
RIP Kobe???#KobeBryant #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hfCxV53z5j

— Karen Khachanov (@karenkhachanov) January 27, 2020

 

Life can be so cruel. Tough to take in this terrible tragedy.

RIP Kobe. Sending my sincere condolences to the Bryant family ?

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 26, 2020

 

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— Aga Radwanska (@ARadwanska) January 26, 2020

 

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— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) January 26, 2020

 

Vive la vida al máximo.
Live life to the fullest.

RIP #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/BV7zuevsaz

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) January 26, 2020

 

I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsman in the world. Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and other passengers. My condolences to his wife and families. I am in shock.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 27, 2020

 

Devastating ?? #RIP pic.twitter.com/yNSdLYsBRQ

— Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) January 27, 2020

 

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— Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (@tsonga7) January 27, 2020

 

RIP ?. The definition of intensity ??? #RIPKobeBryant #24 #8 pic.twitter.com/USdHMWM4D1

— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 26, 2020

 

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— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 27, 2020

 

The Australian Open also paid their tributes to Bryant before the start of the night session on Monday, while Nick Kyrgios walked on to the court for his fourth round meeting with Rafael Nadal with a Los Angeles Lakers jersey bearing Bryant’s name

Nadal offered more words after the match, wearing a Lakers hat as he spoke during his on-court interview.

.@RafaelNadal pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/82wGbWfN3z

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2020