Kyrgios Enjoys Learning New Tricks From Harlem Globetrotter

Nick Kyrgios has hit some thrilling trick shots, and his campaign in the BB&T Atlanta Open has not begun yet.

On Monday, the Aussie met with Torch George of the Harlem Globetrotters, a basketball team known for its high-flying acrobatics and tricks. The pair shared their love for basketball before heading out to a couple of hoops on the grounds to compete against one another and challenge a ball boy and a fan. It was a long time coming for Kyrgios, who watched the Globetrotters at home in Canberra when he was a kid.

“It was a lot of fun. Obviously, basketball is a sport that I probably can’t live without. I’m always following it,” Kyrgios told ATPTour.com. “So to have someone like Torch come down, someone who has played in the WNBA, she’s amazing. She taught me some new tricks, which was really fun. It was awesome.”

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Before heading out to play, George presented Kyrgios with a Globetrotters jersey. There was also a jersey for the Washington Generals, the team that battles the Globetrotters in all their games.

“The Generals? I want to be on your team!” Kyrgios joked.

A crowd quickly gathered as Kyrgios and George began shooting various shots — from the normal variety to behind the back and between-the-legs shots. After playing each other in a game of ‘HORSE’, the stars then invited a fan and a ball boy to a challenge before signing autographs for the fans who gathered.

“It was awesome, I’m so excited. He was so cool and down to Earth. One of the biggest tennis stars in the world, the fact that he’s so down to Earth is so cool,” George said. “His love for the game of basketball, he’s so passionate about it, so we instantly clicked. It was so natural. We had a good time playing HORSE and meeting the fans out there, so it was cool, a great day.”

Kyrgios is partnering American Tommy Paul on Monday evening against fourth seeds Radu Albot and Artem Sitak. Kyrgios, who is not competing in singles in Atlanta, claimed his lone ATP Tour doubles title last year in Lyon alongside Jack Sock.

George will return to Atlantic Station Monday evening to watch her first professional tennis match with Kyrgios in action. “Have you seen his highlights? Oh my God!”

Kyrgios is excited to perform in front of his new friend.

“I’m going to try to put on a show for you, and at the end of the day we’ll hopefully get a win as well.”