Tearful Djokovic pays tribute to ‘mentor, friend’ Bryant
MELBOURNE: Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic teared up on Tuesday as he paid tribute to late basketball star Kobe Bryant, describing him as a “mentor” and a “friend” for the past 10 years.
Djokovic, speaking after his Australian Open quarterfinal win against Milos Raonic, said it was “heartbreaking” to hear about Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others.
“He was one of the greatest athletes of all time, he inspired myself and many other people around the world,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena, wearing a tracksuit with the initials KB.
“I had the fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the past 10 years. When I needed some advice and some support he was there for me.
“He was my mentor, my friend and it’s just heartbreaking to see and to hear what has happened to him and his daughter,” Djokovic said, before breaking off to compose himself.
Djokovic and many other legends of tennis, including Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, have voiced their grief over the death of the former LA Lakers shooting guard, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
TRAGEDY LOOMS OVER SUPER BOWL LAUNCH
MIAMI: The death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant loomed over the build-up to the Super Bowl here Monday as players from the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers paid tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
Both the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers teams were presented before thousands of journalists and fans in the now circus-like “opening night” event that formally kicks off Super Bowl week.
But the festivities at Marlins Park began on a somber note, with a moment’s silence observed as a giant screen displayed a photo of Bryant.
Chants of “Kobe! Kobe!” rang out towards the end of the brief pause before numerous members of the Chiefs roster shared their memories of the five-time NBA champion.
NBA POSTPONES TUESDAY’S LAKERS GAME
NEW YORK: The Los Angeles Lakers will have more time to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant before returning to the court after the NBA on Monday postponed Tuesday’s scheduled game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Staples Center match-up will be rescheduled at a later date.