Nick Kyrgios shares Instagram post on mental health issues at 2019 Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on the darkest period of his life and how he changed his mindset after being caught in a spiral of drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on the darkest period of his life in an Instagram post praised as “inspirational”.

The Aussie tennis star shared a photo from the 2019 Australian Open, when he was “depressed, negative, abusing alcohol, drugs” and “pushed away family and friends”.

In an honest admission from Kyrgios, who has spoken publicly about his mental health issues previously, he said:

“This was me 3 (sic) years ago at the Australian Open. Most would assume I was doing ok mentally or enjoying my life … it was one of my darkest periods.

“If you look closely, on my right arm you can see my self harm. I was having suicidal thoughts and was literally struggling to get out of bed, let alone play in front of millions.

“I was lonely, depressed, negative, abusing alcohol, drugs, pushed away family & friends. I felt as if I couldn’t talk or trust anyone.”

Kyrgios also urged people to not “feel as if you are alone”.

“This was a result of not opening up and refusing to lean on my loved ones and simply just push myself little by little to be positive.

“I know that day to day life can seem extremely exhausting, impossible at times. I understand that you feel if you open up it may make you feel weak, or scared. I’m telling you right now, it’s OK, you are not alone.

Nick Kyrgios at the 2019 Australian Open.

“I’ve been through those times when it seemed as if those positive energetic vibes were never ever going to be reality.

“Please, don’t feel as if you are alone, if you feel as if you can’t talk to anyone, I’m here, reach out. I’m proud to say I’ve completely turned myself around and have a completely different outlook on everything, I don’t take one moment for granted.

“I want you to be able to reach your full potential and smile. This life is beautiful.”

Kyrgios post was praised by Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott as beautiful.

His post comes a week after Kyrgios spoke about how he battled self harm during an Instagram live Q&A.

“No one knows what I’ve gone through, all the struggle I’ve overcome. I’ve self-harmed, was having dark thoughts about life,” he said.

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

He said the pandemic had brought him closer to his family.

“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,” Kyrgios 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.”