Australian tennis star Nick Kygrios has revealed he underwent treatment at a psychiatric ward back in 2019.
The controversial player, 28, said in a yet-to-be-aired episode of Netflix’s Break Point that he was admitted to a psychiatric ward in London after being suicidal during the 2019 Wimbledon tournament.
At the time of his admission, Kygrios was ranked the number 43 player in the world, and had recently lost to tennis superstar Rafael Nadal in a four-set game.
Content Warning: This article contains themes of self-harm and suicide.
This loss sent the Australian player into a dark mental spiral, with Kygrios saying it was “the lowest point of [his] career.”
“I lost at Wimbledon. I woke up and my dad was sitting on the bed, full-blown crying. That was the big wake-up call for me. I was like, OK, I can’t keep doing this. I ended up in a psych ward in London to figure out my problems,” Kygrios said.
“I was genuinely contemplating if I wanted to commit suicide,” he added, also admitting that he played the match in a long white sleeve to hide evidence of self harming.
“My whole arm was covered in scars. That’s why I actually got my arm sleeve. To cover it all. That pressure, having that all-eyes-on-you expectation, I couldn’t deal with it. I hated the kind of person I was.”
Kyrgios’ father, George, also weighed in, saying, “I told him, ‘This is not the right path, mate. You’ve got bigger and better things to chase, you know.’
“I’m here for Nick. Nothing else matters. When he’s away, he’s my first priority. He’s very sensitive, very fragile,” he added.
Kyrgios, now ranked number 25 in the world, has since opened up about his mental health on Instagram.
In February 2022, the young player shared a photo of himself at the Australian Open in 2019, writing that “it was one of [his] 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. 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.”
Despite his struggles, the player wrote that, these days, his mental state has improved:
“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,” he continued in the post.
The episode of Break Point will air on Netflix on 21 June, 2023.
If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the 24-hour Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467. For mental health support, contact BeyondBlue on 1300 22 46 36. In an emergency please call 000.
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