The new decade has welcomed Australia with fire. The nation burns and its capital chokes under a hazardous layer of smoke.
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But in our darkest hour, it's Nick Kyrgios who has shown compassion and led the way as athletes and sports organisations pledge financial support to the bushfire cause.
One tweet became the catalyst for a multi-million dollar cross-code fundraising effort.
He proposed an exhibition match to raise funds for bushfire relief efforts on Wednesday, before pledging to donate $200 for every ace he hits this summer.
Australia's top-seed Alex De Minaur raised him $50. John Millman jumped on board with $100 per ace.
Tennis Australia has committed to a $1 million donation for bushfire community relief and will increase that figure by $100 for every ace served during the ATP Cup.
The Canberra Raiders are planning a fundraiser for their opening-round clash with the Gold Coast Titans while centre Curtis Scott has set up a Go Fund Me page and donated $5000 himself.
Rugby Australia, Cricket Australia, Racing Australia and the AFL will also raise funds. Talk about a snowball effect.
It's bigger than tennis. It's bigger than all of us.
That's why every time Kyrgios steps up to serve this summer, he's not just thinking of the opponent on the other end of the court.
He's thinking of home. He's thinking of the bushfire victims. He's thinking of what he can do in that moment to help those affected.
The world No.30 knocked down 20 aces in his straight-sets win over Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff on Friday night, accumulating in $4000 for the cause.
"I don't really care about the praise too much. We've got the ability and the platform to do something," Kyrgios said in a post-match interview.
"My home town is Canberra and we've got the most toxic air in the world at the moment, that's pretty sad. It's tough. Sorry.
"It's all going to all the families, firefighters, animals, everyone who is losing homes, losing families ... it's a real thing. It's bigger than tennis.
"It's tough to go out there and concentrate on tennis, to be honest. Every ace I was hitting that's all I was thinking about. Every time I stepped up to the line, that's all I was thinking about."
The controversial Canberran is prolific on social media and once his tweets gained momentum, it didn't take long for the sport to make its own contribution.
Tennis Australia will host a Rally for Relief at Rod Laver Arena on January 15, an initiative Kyrgios will also take part in.
My home town is Canberra and we've got the most toxic air in the world at the moment, that's pretty sad. It's tough. Sorry.
- Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios has taken the bushfire cause to heart. It has hit too close to home.
The capital has choked through the worst air quality of any city in the world, with Tennis ACT forced to relocate the Canberra International to Bendigo due to the deteriorating conditions in the region.
The Canberran was one of the first athletes to call for something to be done but despite his efforts, keyboard warriors still ask the same question. Is this the turning point for Kyrgios?
It's time to admit we've been looking at Krygios all wrong. It's simple. He wears his heart on his sleeve for better and for worse.
The polarising figure plays with all the flair and passion we've become accustomed to, but has also crossed the line with his on-court behaviour.
He's been stung with a fine and is serving a lengthy suspended ban, yet there's no guarantees he can keep his cool this summer.
But perhaps the dial will begin to turn on the public's attitude towards him this year. He brings out his best tennis when he has something worthwhile to play for.
Just imagine, Kyrgios acing his way to deep into the second week of the Australian Open with the nation behind every serve.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
