Nick Kyrgios thanks Murray for support after he spotted star was self-harming

01 December 2023 , 10:26

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Nick Kyrgios has faced major internal struggles during his career (Image: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Nick Kyrgios has credited Andy Murray for intervening after spotting the Australian tennis star had been self-harming.

Kyrgios has regularly opened up about his struggles in recent years having previously shown a strong exterior. He revealed he was self-harming for at least 18 months until Murray, who he has enjoyed a strong bond with for some time, stepped in after seeing marks on his arm.

The Brit has continued to offer his support to Kyrgios, who admits it took him some time to listen. He said on Piers Morgan Uncensored: “Andy was always a big supporter of me. As soon as I came on the tour, he kind of saw a work in progress and took me under his wing. Then he realised later in my career that I don’t think I was coachable or I was on my own path, but he was always someone that was looking out for me.

“He saw it [the self-harm] and he said, ‘What’s that on your arm?’ It was pretty bad at that stage. Andy obviously was trying to give me advice on it. But I was just so stuck in my ways at that time that I didn’t listen. Obviously I’m very thankful. I thank him a lot.”

Kyrgios, who made his first Grand Slam final in 2022 at Wimbledon added: "It was pretty dark to be honest. I won tournaments on the professional tour, drinking every night, self-harming, burning things on my arm, cutting myself for fun. It became an addiction of pain. I hated myself. I hated waking up and being Nick Kyrgios.”

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Andy Murray has been a constant support to Nick Kyrgios (Getty Images)

Kyrgios admitted in the Netflix documentary series Break Point that he wore a compression sleeve during Wimbledon in 2019 to cover scars on his arms which came as a result of self-harming. Since then he feels as though he's become someone people who are struggling can relate to.

“I’ve almost been a beacon for people who are struggling," he said. "When they feel like they’re overwhelmed and they’re going towards drinking, drugs and stuff, they open up and they feel like I’m relatable.

“That’s been the most powerful thing in my career; people coming to me with genuine issues. They send me photos in my Instagram, direct messages, self-harming and genuinely wanting to commit suicide. I have conversations with these people. Sometimes I’ve had phone calls with these people. That’s making a real difference and I’m just really proud.”

If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]

Samuel Meade