Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua was knocked out of the US Open on Wednesday, but found solace when she discovered her cousin and best friend was about to undergo life-saving surgery.

The 27-year-old Dellacqua tweeted that cousin Kaila, who suffers cystic fibrosis, was about to have a double lung transplant after being on a waiting list for three years.

“Bummer I lost today but tennis is just a small part of my life. Got some gr8 news when I walked off court, my beautiful cousin & best friend finally received a call she has been waiting almost 3 yrs for,” Dellacqua said on Twitter.

“She’s in theatre now having a double lung transplant. My thoughts r with the family who r saying goodbye to someone they love but the gift of life they r giving to Kaila is incredible.”

Earlier on Wednesday, world No.92 Dellacqua lost 6-4 6-4 to China’s Li Na in the second round.