Nick Kyrgios confesses to self-harming and ‘dark thoughts’ in Instagram video

Nick Kyrgios has admitted he has self-harmed in the past and suffered from ‘dark thoughts’ whilst he struggled to adapt to life on the Tour.

Kyrgios endured a tumultuous few years on the tour, but seems to have now found his rhythm after being roared on by a rambunctious home crowd to win the Australian Open doubles, a maiden Slam.

He teamed up with fellow Australian and close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis as they stormed to the doubles title, beating the world’s top ranked partnership Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic en route to glory.

Whilst Kyrgios seems to be in a good place on and off the court now, he revealed this has not always been the case.

In a candid Instragram video, Kyrgios revealed his struggled whilst away from family for elongated periods of time and being alone in new cities when on tour.

Kyrgios was holding a question and answer session conducted via Instagram Live, when asked about self-doubt, Kyrgios said “no one knows what I’ve gone through, all the struggle I’ve overcome.

“I’ve self-harmed, was having dark thoughts about life.

“I always have my back and have all the confidence in the world. I lean on my loved ones.

“My relationship with my family wasn’t great a few years ago because I was always away and didn’t have my family around me,” the Australian shared.

“I was winning, losing, going through relationship problems, dealing with other problems and I was pushing them away because you feel like the world’s against you.

“I pushed everyone who was close to me away and I feel out with people and that’s something I’d never want again.

“I’m going seven months a year abroad in a new place every week. That’s why tennis is so hard in my opinion. The mental game is ridiculous.

“Physically, you have to be an absolute animal. What other sport do you have to play for three plus hours, possibly seven times in two weeks? It doesn’t happen.”

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