"Of all the things you could say on break point, 'stay tough' ... wow," Kyrgios said towards his player's box during an Australian Open second round clash.

His head goes down - but not in the fashion so many have grown accustomed to. This time, his head went down because it was time to "just cut the bulls*** and just get to work".

That he did, advancing to the next stage of the tournament and setting up a date with 16th seed Karen Khachanov.

Those in the player's box soon received an apology from the world No. 26 - among them Lleyton Hewitt.

His impact on Kyrgios' resurgence and newfound maturity cannot be understated after guiding him during Australia's ATP Cup campaign earlier this month.

It is the kind of environment in which Kyrgios thrives.

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Motivation can so often be hard to come by in a lonely sport, not least of which for a man whose profound love for a team sport like basketball is known far and wide.

Therein lies the challenge for Australian sport's most polarising figure. Hewitt knows there are times you simply need to ride the wave with Kyrgios.

Perhaps Hewitt is the man with the surfboard most well-equipped to handle those waves ridden by a man whose tennis shorts resemble those of a surfer at Bells Beach nearly a decade ago.

Hewitt seems to be there at almost every turn as Kyrgios climbs his way back up the world rankings.

He has said the Canberra product needs to learn to deal with the individual nature of tennis and try to adopt the same approach he has when he is playing in a team environment at all times.

Like when he is leaping around with a smile on his face or scribbling demon pictures on cameras, telling Alex de Minaur he misses him.

Maybe Hewitt is the man to help Kyrgios take that approach with him every time he steps onto the court.

The 24-year-old's tenure without a coach is well-documented and many believe having someone in his corner at all times could lay the platform for Kyrgios to realise his potential.

Whether Hewitt needs to take on the official title of coach is beside the point, but being there to provide guidance and keep Kyrgios' mind in check could prove a masterstroke.

For someone who is either Australia's most hated or one of our most loved athletes depending on who you ask, it could continue to turn the tide in Kyrgios' favour.

The perception of the brash tennis star began to change this year when Kyrgios launched his effort to support those affected by the devastating bushfires which have scorched Australia.

Kyrgios opted to donate $200 per ace he hits this summer. It led scores of other athletes and organisations to join the movement and support those hit.

Sport can often be the vehicle for change - Kyrgios' efforts to raise funds for the bushfire appeal show as much.

But perhaps Australian sport's greatest challenge lies in the push to have a national holiday shifted from January 26.

West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui has taken to social media to push the Western Australian government to lead the way and move the Australia Day holiday.

His reasoning is simple: our nation is divided on a date which marks the day Captain Arthur Phillip took possession of the colony of NSW and raised the British flag for the first time in Sydney Cove.

Our sporting teams are lauded for wearing indigenous uniforms but the moment someone mentions changing the date or they don't want to sing the national anthem like a host of rugby league stars have, they are so often told to stick to sport.

That is not good enough. Nor is Australia's failure to embrace its own culture. So we need more like Naitanui standing up for their beliefs.

"If a simple change of date helps to appease tension, unify Australian and collectively allow us to celebrate this amazing country I'm all for it," Naitanui posted.

"To be honest it's tiring seeing the protesting, these debates and the hate in people's hearts this period every year.

"Time to stand up and be heard."