Nick Kyrgios news: Australian opens up about self-harming and ‘having dark thoughts about life’

Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios chats to the media

He has always been open about his mental health struggles, but Nick Kyrgios has shared more about his journey with fans, admitting that he has had “dark thoughts about life”.

Kyrgios has enjoyed plenty of ups and downs on and off the court over the past few years, but life on the court has been brilliant so far this year after he teamed up with childhood friend Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the Australian Open men’s doubles.

Away from tennis his life is also been good thanks to his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi.

However, the 26-year-old opened up about his struggles in an Instagram Q&A with fans.

“No one knows what I’ve gone through, all the struggle I’ve overcome,” he admitted.

“I’ve self-harmed, was having dark thoughts about life.

“I always have my back and have all the confidence in the world. I lean on my loved ones.”

Being away from home for long periods over the years due to the tennis calendar also took its toll with the Canberra-born player saying he was used to pushing those close to him away.

Things have improved over the past few years though.

“My relationship with my family wasn’t great a few years ago because I was always away and didn’t have my family around me,” he said.

“I was winning, losing, going through relationship problems, dealing with other problems and I was pushing them away because you feel like the world’s against you.

“I pushed everyone who was close to me away and I fell out with people and that’s something I’d never want again.

“I’m going seven months a year abroad in a new place every week. That’s why tennis is so hard in my opinion. The mental game is ridiculous.

“Physically, you have to be an absolute animal. What other sport do you have to play for three plus hours, possibly seven times in two weeks? It doesn’t happen.”

Nick Kyrgios

Latest