Tennis: Nick Kyrgios spent hours before Grigor Dimitrov match having hit with young cancer sufferer Bella

Nick Kyrgios and nine-year-old Bella's family. Photo / Facebook.

He's only 22, but Nick Kyrgios has attracted headlines - good and bad - for the entirety of his short tennis career.

Whether it's been for his on-court meltdowns, sudden retirements, seemingly flippant interviews or brilliant flashes of tennis - Aussies always seem to have something to say about our Nick.

But the 2018 Australian Open has seemed to show the tide is starting to turn - with a more mature and respectful Kyrgios on display up until his 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 Round of 16 exit at the hands of third seed Grigor Dimitrov.

That was on full display in the lead-up to Sunday night's match when Kyrgios took time out of his preparations to grant a special wish by having a hit with young fan Bella.

Posting a series of photos on Facebook, Kyrgios revealed that the nine-year-old diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and had undergone two bone marrow transplants but had sadly relapsed again last year.

After asking her ball to be signed by Kyrgios every day since the tournament began, the Aussie went one better by having a brave hit with the young girl, hours before one of the biggest matches of his career.

"I hope that it fills her with hope, strength and inspiration for the road ahead!", Kyrgios wrote on Facebook.

Well done, Nick!

You can donate to Kyrgios' charity for underprivileged youth - The NK Foundation - here.