‘Took me under his wing’: Nick Kyrgios lauds Andy Murray for mental health support
Australia tennis enigma Nick Kyrgios has revealed Andy Murray played a major role in helping him during a “dark” mental health crisis.
Andy Murray's Support
In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis player, opened up about how Andy Murray, the Scottish tennis star, provided him with invaluable support during a challenging period of mental health struggles. Kyrgios, known for being open about his personal struggles, acknowledged Murray's active interest in helping him turn his life around.
Kyrgios spoke highly of Murray, stating that the three-time major winner saw him as a work in progress and took him under his wing as soon as he entered the tennis tour. Murray even noticed the signs of self-harm on Kyrgios' arm and expressed concern. Kyrgios admitted that his mental health crisis had reached a severe stage during that time.
Mental Health Struggles
During the interview, Kyrgios shared the extent of his mental health struggles. He confessed to self-harm, drinking excessively, burning things on his arm, and cutting himself, which had become a painful addiction. He expressed a strong dislike for himself and waking up as Nick Kyrgios.
Despite his personal challenges, Kyrgios managed to win tournaments on the professional tour. However, he realized that his mental state was apparent to others, even on the tennis court, and people were aware of his self-harm. The Australian tennis player described feeling mentally overwhelmed and still trying to compete.
A Purpose Beyond Tennis
Currently sidelined due to knee and wrist issues, Kyrgios is uncertain about participating in the upcoming Australian Open. However, his experiences have given him a new purpose outside of tennis. Kyrgios revealed that he has become a beacon for people who are struggling with similar issues.
He shared that individuals who feel overwhelmed and are heading towards destructive behaviors, such as drinking and drug use, reach out to him because they find him relatable. Kyrgios emphasized the power of people opening up to him with genuine issues, including sending him photos of self-harm and expressing thoughts of suicide.
