A mother has commented on the moment her nine-year-old son was struck by a stray ball from Nick Kyrgios.
Fiona Crane, who's originally from County Durham but moved to Australia with her husband in 2008, was watching the quarter-final of the men's doubles at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
She was accompanied by her friend and young son Fin, who were all seated four rows from the front of the stand and were guaranteed a great view.
Crane was enjoying the match with Kyrgios and his partner Thanasi Kokkinakis who played Tim Putz and Michael Venus, when the frightening moment took place.
Halfway through the first set, Kyrgios hit the ball so hard it bounced into the crowd and hit her son in his side.
Fiona didn’t realise the ball had bounced into her section of the crowd until she saw her son burst into tears.
"I was totally unaware until the ball bounced around us, but when I looked up Fin was crying," Fiona told ITV.
"I knew then the ball had hit him because he was holding his side. He came up next to me and I gave him a hug. He said it was really sore."
Fin soon sported a huge grin however, when Kyrgios handed him a racket in what was a sweet gesture after the unfortunate incident.
"The chair umpire came over to check Fin was OK, and as she was talking to me we heard the loudest cheer," she said.
"As I looked up Nick Kyrgios was handing a racquet to someone in the front row who then passed it back to myself. After the game, he even signed the handle."
The Aussie’s parents approached Fiona and Fin and offered an apology.
The big-serving player sported a grimace when he realised he had hit the young fan and feared he would be defaulted.
“I saw it heading towards the kid and I thought: ‘Oh no, I am getting defaulted’,” he told Channel Nine.
Kyrgios immediately raised his hand in apology and put his hand on his mouth.
“I was glad he was ok and I gave him the racquet,” Kyrgios added.
For the first time in his career, Kyrgios will have the opportunity to contest a grand slam final.
The all-Aussie encounter will see the 26-year-old and Adelaide Open champion Kokkinakis play Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the doubles final of their home slam tomorrow morning.
