It is not because they are young and very rich that professional sportsmen cannot have problems and sink into depression. Having become a controversial tennis star for several years, Nick Kyrgios is one of the best players in the world. Like Benoit Paire, the Australian is a fan of freaking out and he is just as capable of beating a world top 10 as of losing to an almost unknown player. An attitude that disconcerts his opponents as much as the followers of the little yellow ball.
After a more than successful Australian Open during which he won the doubles final, despite an incident involving a very young spectator, the 26-year-old tennis player decided to post a very touching message on his Instagram account. Followed by more than 1.8 million subscribers, Nick Kyrgios shares his problems and the very complicated period he experienced a few years ago. “That was me three years ago at the Australian Open. Most people would think I was mentally fine and enjoying my life… it was one of my darkest times”he writes before making a reference to the first photo he published to accompany his message: “If you look at my right arm, you will be able to see traces of self-harm”.
I was alone, depressed, negative, abusing alcohol and drugs, pushing away my family and friends
A visibly very hard period for the tennis player, who even thought of the worst, as he reveals. “I had suicidal thoughts and I couldn’t get out of bed let alone perform in front of millions of people. I was alone, depressed, negative, abusing alcohol and drugs, pushing away my family and friends. I felt like I couldn’t talk to or trust anyone, because I didn’t open up, I refused to lean on my loved ones”he continues in this moving message.