New details of tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios’ fight with depression and grief

Nick Kyrgios’ success on the court masked thoughts of self-harm and even suicide, the Australian tennis star has revealed.

Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios has spoken of his mental health battles and his “darkest’’ times during which his success on the court masked thoughts of self harm and even taking his own life.

Kyrgios, 27, revealed his fight with depression and his grief in an emotional interview on a mental health podcast.

“It was brutal for me, it was so hard, I felt alone, obviously to the point of self-harm and thinking about committing suicide, it was tough,” Kyrgios said.

“But then winning tournaments seemed to just mask all of it, which was the darkest thing ever.”

After sharing his battles with family and friends, Kyrgios spoke of how he found peace and happiness through helping others in need.

Nick Kyrgios warming up ahead of the Sydney Kings Starlight Celebrity Game. The tennis star has spoken out about his mental health in a new podcast. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“The ability to help and give people confidence is insane, and to get out of spots where you don’t want to wake up, you don’t want to go to work, I just feel like I’ve overcome so many challenges that I can just get through anything.”

Kyrgios opened up about his mental health issues on the Turn Up The Talk (TUTT) podcast.

Founded in 2019, the TUTT podcast features conversations with mental health experts and athletes including Kyrgios and future rugby league immortal candidate Greg Inglis, discussing all things mental health through their perspectives.

After experiencing their own personal battles combined with a shocking spate of youth suicides in Sydney’s east, podcast creators Lachlan Drew-Morris, Pat Clifton and Luca Moretti picked up the microphone to create awareness and education for the subject that is often kept under wraps.

“There were several suicides in a short period of time and it really rocked the community,” Mr Clifton said.

“We wanted to show and encourage people that mental health and mental illness can be spoken about in an open and easy manner, that doesn’t have to be so daunting and taboo.”

Along with Kyrgios, the trio have played host to several big names such as UFC legend Mark Hunt, surfing royalty Layne Beachley and former rugby league players Josh Dugan and Wendell Sailor.