Tennis stars at the Australian Open have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant following his death in a helicopter crash.
Bryant took up the sport following his retirement from basketball and was friends with a number of leading players.
He was at the US Open last summer and sat in Naomi Osaka's box for one of her matches.
He also wrote a children's book about tennis released last year called Legacy and the Queen.
Osaka wrote an emotional Twitter post with the caption "I can't".
Beginning "Dear Big bro", Osaka said: "I don't really know what to do so I'm writing you this letter. Thank you for being you. Thank you for inspiring people everywhere, you have no idea how many hearts you've touched.
"Thank you for being so humble and not acting as big as you are. Thank you for caring and checking up on me after my hard losses. Thank you for randomly texting me 'You OK?', cause you know how f***ed up my head is sometimes.
"Thank you for teaching me so much in the short time I've been lucky enough to have known you. Thank you for existing. You will forever be my big bro/mentor/inspiration. Love you."
Maria Sharapova was another player who said Bryant had helped her through tough times.
She wrote on Twitter: "Kobe and Gigi. This is incredibly difficult to process. I will never forget your generosity, and the time you set aside in some of my most difficult moments. I am forever grateful. My heart is with you and your beautiful family."
Rafael Nadal added his condolences on Twitter, saying: "I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsman in the world. Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and other passengers. My condolences to his wife and families. I am in shock."
In a post on Instagram stories, Andy Murray wrote: "This has hit me hard. Thinking of all his family, friends and colleagues."
