Nick Kyrgios: Australian Tennis Player’s Struggles and Road to Recovery

Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis player, faced a profound personal battle following his loss to Rafael Nadal in the second round of Wimbledon in 2019. In a forthcoming documentary called “Break Point,” Kyrgios reveals that he grappled with thoughts of suicide and spent time in a psychiatric hospital in London.

Reflecting on his state of mind at the time, Kyrgios candidly admitted to engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including excessive drinking and drug abuse. He despised the person he had become after the Wimbledon defeat and found solace in altering his appearance through a sleeve tattoo on his right arm to conceal evidence of self-harm.

Kyrgios describes the turning point in his journey when he woke up to find his father deeply distraught, which served as a powerful wake-up call. Realizing the destructive path he was on, he made the decision to seek help and was subsequently admitted to a psychiatric ward in London to confront his underlying issues.

In February of the following year, Kyrgios took to Instagram to open up about his mental health struggles, revealing his battles with suicidal thoughts and the difficulty he faced in getting out of bed during 2019. In the documentary, he explains how the pressure and immense expectations placed upon him, with the world’s attention fixed on his every move, became overwhelming. This led to strained relationships with family and close friends, evident through the self-harm marks visible on his arm during the Australian Open.

However, the Australian athlete has since undergone a remarkable transformation. In the documentary, Kyrgios emphasizes his pride in having completely turned his life around and expresses gratitude for every moment he now cherishes.

After an impressive performance that led him to the final of Wimbledon in the subsequent year, where he faced Novak Djokovic and narrowly missed victory, Kyrgios encountered a setback in the form of a knee injury. In January, he underwent surgery to repair a small tear in his left lateral meniscus.

Recently, Kyrgios made his return to the tennis court at the Stuttgart Open in Germany, demonstrating his determination to reclaim his place in the sport. Although he suffered defeat in the opening round against China’s Wu Yibing, his return marks a significant milestone in his ongoing journey towards personal and professional recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with similar issues, support and information can be accessed through various resources, such as the BBC Action Line or the Samaritans helpline at 116 123.

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• BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1NGvFrTqWChr03LrYlw2Hkk/information-and-support-mental-health
• Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/