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Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios hands injured child a new racquet in heartwarming moment

Headshot of Catherine Healey
Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
VideoKyrgios gifts racquet to young boy hit by stray ball.

Nick Kyrgios may be considered a bad boy of Australian tennis, but the 26-year-old was all class when he helped a young injured fan.

Young Fin Crane with his gifted racquet.
Camera IconYoung Fin Crane with his gifted racquet. Credit: Clint Stanaway

In a heartwarming moment, Kyrgios made his way to the crowd to hand over one of his racquets after accidentally hitting nine-year-old fan Fin Crane in the stomach with a wayward stroke.

Kyrgios immediately flinched when he saw Fin was hit, and gestured to the family to see if he was OK.

WATCH THE TOUCHING MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

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He then stopped play by heading to his bag to retrieve a racquet.

“I think they may have hit someone incredibly hard,” the commentator said.

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“The young fan has just copped the full force. It is unfortunate.”

Young Fin was clearly upset as Kyrgios made his way over, but he was all smiles when his family spoke to 9 a short time later.

Admitting it hurt, Fin quickly thanked the Aussie star for his generosity.

“It hit me on the cheek as well!” Fin’s mum joked.

Fin and his family were part of the packed house to see Kyrgios and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis win through to the doubles semi final.

Kyrgios believes he and Kokkinakis can take the Open crown, after dispatching the number one seeds last week.

“We’ve come of age and matured, I know I have definitely. I’m going to do everything I can — recover, rest, train. I definitely think we’ve got a good shot at winning this,” he said.

“I know I’m in a different mindset.

“I feel different. In the past when I’ve played doubles, I feel like I haven’t done enough on court and now I’m making more returns, trying to lead by example but he’s been playing great as well.”

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