Nick Kyrgios spoke out about his mental health issues

Nick Kyrgios shared the moment that his mental health reached rock bottom while his career was on its ascendency.

27-year-old tennis star opened up about his “internal problems”, which included alcohol abuse and drug addiction, as well as depression and self harm.

The Australian told The Sunday Times Magazine that his worst period – during which he’d considered suicide – came between the ages of 22 and 24.

He said, “That’s scary because someone can appear to be on top of everything. But you never really get the inner battles that someone is going through.”

Kyrgios was the Wimbledon men’s runner-up last year. He recalled how he used drink between 20-30 alcoholic beverages in one evening.

He said that he used to party until the early hours of the morning, and sometimes he took drugs.

He said, “I didn’t have anyone to open up too and every time it was, it was like, “Oh, you’ve got to just push through it.”

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It was the constant pushing and being misunderstood. Today, I don’t try and be someone I’m not. Back then, I tried to keep in the same lane they wanted me to go.

Kyrgios – who features in the new Netflix series Break Point – revealed that seeing his family so upset at his struggles prompted him to seek psychological help.

Today, he takes care of his health by abstaining drugs, limiting alcohol, and taking time away from tennis when needed.

He stated, “I cannot hide in a place.” It’s important to accept that this is my life, and to embrace it more.

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