Nick Kyrgios’s tattoos move between two interests he has spoken about often: Pokémon and basketball. His back is covered by a large scene of first-generation characters, while much of one arm is devoted to NBA players and Jordan sneakers. Smaller pieces carry phrases and family references.
The Pokémon piece is the most visible design. Blastoise sits near the center, with characters including Charizard, Gyarados, Gengar, Mewtwo, Lapras, Alakazam, Dragonite and Snorlax around it. Kyrgios has said the games were part of his childhood and that he still plays them.
The arm has Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan’s shoes and the word GOAT. Other visible pieces include “Time is Running Out,” a broken feather, “Inspire Others” and the number 74 for his grandmother. The sections below stick to details that can be identified in public photos or have been reported.
Nick Kyrgios’s Pokémon back tattoo is the centerpiece
The full-back tattoo runs from the shoulders toward the lower back. It is mostly black and gray, with Blastoise in the center. Kyrgios has called it his favorite Pokémon. Charizard and Gyarados sit nearby, with Gengar, Mewtwo, Lapras, Alakazam, Dragonite and Snorlax filling out the scene.
The design covers nearly the whole back, but the figures have room to read as separate characters. Dark shading outlines them, and patches of lighter skin keep the image from becoming one flat field.
Kyrgios has said he chose characters from the original generation, the ones many fans recognize from the early games. That choice also left out later favorites such as Venusaur, Lugia, Ampharos and Tyranitar.
The subject is playful, while the tattoo work is detailed. The overall silhouette catches the eye first; closer photos reveal the faces, claws, shells, wings and scales.
The back piece was completed by a full tattoo team
Session photos show several artists working on Kyrgios at once at Ganga Tattoo in Los Angeles. He described it as an intense appointment, with multiple machines on his back. The design had been worked out with his brother and Australian artist Alexi Bouras.
It wasn’t a walk-in decision. Kyrgios had considered a Pokémon tattoo for some time, then asked for a recommendation in Los Angeles. The team had to fit the large group of characters into one back piece.
Reports put the session at around seven and a half hours, though accounts differ slightly. Kyrgios said the first few hours were particularly painful and that his back was shaking. He also had to manage the early healing while flying back to Australia.
The black-and-gray shading gives the separate character areas a consistent look. Even with several artists involved, the finished piece reads as one scene instead of disconnected sections.
His basketball sleeve pays tribute to Kobe and LeBron
Kyrgios had already covered much of his arm with basketball references before getting the Pokémon back piece. A Kobe Bryant portrait was added after Bryant’s death. Kyrgios had worn a Lakers jersey in tribute at the Australian Open and later said he wanted Kobe to stay with him forever.
LeBron James appears beside Kobe, and a pair of Air Jordan 1s represents Michael Jordan. The sleeve is a tribute to the players and objects Kyrgios follows, not just one athlete.
The Kobe portrait is visible in match photos, even when his arm is bent or partly covered by a shirt. That placement gives the face enough room to remain recognizable as the arm moves.
Kyrgios has described basketball as his real sporting passion, even though tennis is his profession. The sleeve makes that interest visible on court.
The sleeve mixes portraits, GOAT details, and sneaker imagery
In match photos, the sleeve reads as a group of pieces. Kobe and LeBron are the main portraits; the GOAT lettering and Jordan 1 imagery fill out the rest.
The mix keeps the sleeve from feeling too formal. Portraits sit beside a sneaker reference, giving the arm the feel of a fan’s own collection rather than a single formal tribute.
The tattoo grew over time. Small early pieces were joined by larger portraits and filler work, which had to fit around what was already on the arm. That history shows in the way the designs meet.
Court photos show how the images bend with his elbow and disappear beneath a shirt sleeve. A posed picture may reveal more detail, but match photos show how the ink sits in motion.
“Time is Running Out” and the broken feather add a quieter note
Earlier photos show “Time is Running Out” along Kyrgios’s right forearm, with a broken feather above it. Both pieces are smaller than the later portraits and can be hard to spot in newer photos.
The phrase suggests urgency, but Kyrgios hasn’t given one public explanation for every possible meaning. The lettering follows the forearm, and the broken feather sits above it; that’s what the images show.
The feather’s lighter outline contrasts with the heavier portraits and sneaker imagery. Even with newer work around it, that change in shape helps the older tattoo remain distinct.
Distance, motion and stadium light can make the small lettering hard to read. Earlier, clearer photos show the design better than a zoomed-in image from a match.
“Inspire Others” and the number 74 keep the collection personal
The words Inspire Others appear on the outside of Kyrgios’s right hand. A small mark and the number 74 are also visible on his fingers. Tennis.com reported that 74 honors his grandmother and refers to her age when she died in 2014.
The hand lettering is direct and easy to read. The number needs the reported context to explain it, which makes it a quieter family reference.
Finger tattoos are hard to capture because hands are always moving, and a tennis grip can hide the placement. Clear public photos show the words and number, but not every small mark can be identified with confidence.
Together, the pieces give the sleeve more than one subject. The basketball portraits show who Kyrgios admires; Pokémon reflects a childhood interest; the number 74 points to family.
The overall vibe of his collection
Kyrgios’s tattoos don’t follow one theme. The back shows Pokémon characters in black and gray; the arm brings together basketball players, lettering, a feather and sneakers. Different pieces sit beside one another without being made to match.
The Pokémon tattoo is large and specific to something Kyrgios has said he enjoys. He has talked about gaming as a way to get through difficult periods and connect with friends, so the design is more than a reference to a childhood game.
The sleeve works the same way. Kobe, LeBron and Jordan are familiar names, but the combination reflects the athletes and objects Kyrgios has mentioned. The smaller phrases and family number make it more personal than a general sports tribute.
If you’re looking for ideas, start with people, games or memories that will still matter years from now. A portrait or character can look good in a photo, but its place in your life is what will keep it meaningful. The strongest designs in Kyrgios’s collection come from interests he has spoken about himself.
The video below shows Kyrgios discussing the back tattoo session and the team that worked on it: