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Agence France-Presse

Polarising Australian Nick Kyrgios on Sunday admitted to be being in a “lonely, dark place” during recent years as he battled depression sparked by the relentless grind of the tennis tour.
The temperamental star is one of the sport’s biggest drawcards, but has also faced intense criticism for his combustible antics on court, with a long list of misdemeanours to his name.
They include an explosive racquet-smashing and expletive-ridden meltdown at last year’s Cincinnati Masters that saw him put on probation by the ATP Tour and ordered to seek professional help.
“I don’t think people understand how lonely tennis can be,” he told Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph magazine.
Novak Djokovic’s PTPA power play is tone deaf amid coronavirus crisis and calls for social change
“You’re out there on the court on your own. You can’t really talk to anyone. You have to figure things out for yourself. I did struggle with that.”
Kyrgios said he had always been emotional and found it tough spending so long away from his Canberra home and family while on tour, admitting there were times when he was “seriously depressed”.

“I remember waking up in Shanghai one year and it was 4pm and I was still in bed, curtains closed. I didn’t want to see the light of day,” he said.
“I felt like no one wanted to know me as a person, they just wanted to get a hold of me as a tennis player and use me. I didn’t feel like I could trust anyone. It was a lonely, dark place. And things came from that.
‘What are you talking about?’ Kyrgios blasts Thiem in virus row
“A lot of people were putting pressure on me, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I just lost joy for the game and I was spiralling out of control,” he added.
“I fell into depression because of the things I thought I had to be.”
But the 25-year-old gained new respect by spearheading fundraising efforts for Australia’s deadly bushfires last summer, a crisis which he said gave him a new perspective.
He has also been hailed as a voice of reason during the coronavirus pandemic, calling out fellow players – notably Novak Djokovic – for not taking it seriously enough.
Kyrgios opted out of the US Open and French Open this year due to Covid-19, with the break allowing him to reconnect with family and live a more stable lifestyle.
“Nothing beats playing in some of the best parts of the world against tough opponents and doing all the work off the court to have success. I’m definitely missing it. But I don’t live and breathe tennis,” he said.
“I love being at home with my family and my girlfriend, and working with my foundation (for underprivileged children) and helping the community. There are plenty of other things I love doing.”


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ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Nick Kyrgios reveals his battle with depression

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has revealed that he has been battling depression for a number of years. Photo: AFP

Tennis - Australian Open - Second Round - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 23, 2020. Australia's Nick Kyrgios in action during the match against France's Gilles Simon. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Rafael Nadal notches 1,000 career wins, beating Feliciano Lopez at Paris Masters

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his second round match against Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and his 1000th professional match. Photo: Reuters

FILE - In this June 5, 2011, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, and Switzerland's Roger Federer pose with their trophies after the men's final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Nadal can pull even with Federer for most Grand Slam singles titles won by a man by collecting No. 20 at the French Open, when play begins on Sunday, Sept. 27. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)

Nick Kyrgios slams Novak Djokovic: has tennis bad boy become the sport’s expletive-laden voice of reason

Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his men's singles first round match at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Photo: AFP

Australia's Nick Kyrgios speaks during a press conference at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane on January 2, 2020. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Sport

Tennis


Kyrgios says he has always been emotional and found it tough spending so long away from his Canberra home and family while on tour



Kyrgios says he has always been emotional and found it tough spending so long away from his Canberra home and family while on tour.
