Nick Kyrgios has never had a simple relationship with professional tennis. The Australian star has been remarkably candid about his battles with severe depression, self-harm, substance abuse, and a dark period in 2019 when he struggled to see a way forward, crediting his family and inner circle with saving his life.

The Breaking Point in 2019

Kyrgios catapulted to global fame in 2014 when, as a 19-year-old wildcard, he shocked Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. However, the relentless spotlight, expectations, and scrutiny quickly took a devastating toll on his mental health.

By 2019, the strain had pushed him to his lowest point. In candid reflections on that period, Kyrgios admitted that coping with the pressure felt impossible.

“2019 was the lowest point of my career. That pressure, having all eyes on you, the expectation, I couldn’t deal with it.”

After an early exit at Wimbledon that summer, Kyrgios returned to his hotel room to find his father, Giorgos, sitting by his bedside in tears. Seeing his father break down served as a profound wake-up call, prompting him to seek urgent psychiatric evaluation and treatment in London.

“I lost at Wimbledon, I woke up and my dad was just sitting next to me on the bed and he was like full-blown crying. That was a bit wake-up call for me. I was like, okay, I cannot keep doing this.”

Family Support and Tennis Redemption

Reconnecting with his family and allowing his inner circle to support him laid the foundation for an extraordinary turnaround. In 2022, Kyrgios produced the finest season of his career, beginning with an emotional Australian Open men's doubles championship alongside childhood friend Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Months later, Kyrgios reached the 2022 Wimbledon singles final, taking the opening set against Novak Djokovic before finishing as runner-up. The milestone stood as a powerful testament to his resilience after years of internal struggle.

“It’s just a lot mentally. Everyone’s supporting you. There are negative comments. Like the pressure of playing finals at Wimbledon. I’m just not supposed to be here. Like, I’m a kid from Canberra.”

An Ongoing Journey

Kyrgios’ path highlights that recovery and growth are rarely linear. Facing extended injury layoffs and personal hurdles, the Australian has continued to emphasize the crucial role of emotional well-being and open dialogue surrounding mental health in elite sports, maintaining that vulnerability and seeking help remain essential parts of his life story.