Nick Kyrgios opens up on mental health struggles and dark times on tennis tour

Nick Kyrgios says no-one knows what he has gone through. In a powerful Q&A, the Aussie star has opened up on his darkest times on the tennis tour.

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on his mental health struggles and said he self harmed while on the tennis tour during his darkest times.

The Australian star, who three weeks ago stunned the world when he and Thanasi Kokkinakis won the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open, was speaking openly with his Instagram following in a Q&A session.

The 26-year-old, who has always shared his battles in the hope he can break stigmas and help others with their own, said: “No one knows what I’ve gone through, all the struggle I’ve overcome.

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

Nick Kyrgios has opened up on his mental health struggles. Picture: Getty Images

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

Kyrgios has said on numerous occasions that being away from home is the thing he struggles with the most as a tennis player and that he is happier when back in Canberra.

The pandemic has allowed him to be home more and he adjusted his playing commitments as a result.

“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.

“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.”

Kyrgios is currently in the USA with his partner Costeen Hatzi who he credits as keeping him calm, grounded and happier than ever.

Stateside, Kyrgios is expected to contest a number of tournaments before heading to Chile.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios opens up on mental health struggles and dark times on tennis tour