Melbourne (AFP)

"We will not do more like him": Nick Kyrgios, wearing a Lakers jersey, spoke at length about the death of Kobe Bryant at his press conference Monday after his 6-3, 3-6 defeat, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) against Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 of the Australian Open.

Passionate about basketball, Kyrgios played at a very good level as a child before taking the path of professional tennis. He warmed up in another Bryant jersey, but took it off for the match.

QUESTION: You are wearing a Lakers jersey. What does Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, represent for you?

ANSWER: "No, I never met him. But basketball is almost my life. I watch it every day. I have been basketball for a very long time, these are even my first memories of sport. So When I heard the news this morning when I woke up, I was very touched. It weighed on me all day. I watched basketball on television. Yeah it's hard, it's terrible news. I don't think we will do any more like him. He was different in his way of training, doing things, playing. I'm really sad because my life is basketball ... "

Q: were you emotionally affected during the match?

A: "If it affected me in a way, it was by motivating me. If you look at what he defended, what he wanted us to take from him ... it could only help me tonight. When I was leading a break in the 4th set, I thought about it. And I fought to tie it. Rafa was really good tonight. He played too well I had my chances. I was two points away from winning the 3rd set and the 4th ... It happens. In any case, if his disappearance had any effect on me during the match, she help."

Q: What do you think of your current level compared to what you practiced in 2015 when you reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne?

A: "I think I'm playing better now than I did back then. If you compare my 2015 draw to the opponents I had this year, it's certainly stronger this year. Tonight, I was two points to win (the round in the 3rd and 4th sets, note). But it can turn out like that sometimes ... "

Comments gathered at a press conference

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