Nick Kyrgios recently opened up about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, reflecting on his experiences with depression, self-harm, and an intense drinking habit during some of the darkest periods in his career. Speaking on *The Louis Theroux Podcast*, the Australian tennis star offered an intimate look at the battle he has faced both on and off the court, explaining how he used to “drink like a fish”—sometimes downing up to 30 drinks in a single night—while still managing to compete in high-stakes tournaments. Although Kyrgios has made significant progress since those days, he also acknowledged that mental health remains a daily challenge and that he must remain vigilant against falling back into old habits.
Kyrgios first spoke openly about his mental health struggles in early 2022, when he posted a deeply personal message on Instagram. In that post, the seven-time ATP titleholder shared how 2019 had been a particularly dark time in his life, marked by self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and a sense of hopelessness that he couldn’t shake. He admitted feeling trapped in a downward spiral, one that was only exacerbated by the relentless pressure of competing on the professional circuit. Despite his success, Kyrgios struggled to cope with his inner demons and felt unable to step away from the sport to focus on his well-being.
Reflecting on that period with Louis Theroux, Kyrgios explained, “I was just struggling with who I was. It was hard at that time, and I didn’t feel like I could take a step back from the sport and work on myself. I was just playing and playing and dealing with everything. It was a dark time. I was drinking, spiraling out of control, and still playing and traveling. It was a lot.” For the former world No. 13, alcohol became a coping mechanism, numbing his pain but ultimately worsening his mental state. When Theroux asked just how much he drank during this turbulent phase, Kyrgios replied, “20 or 30 drinks, easy. I’d drink like a fish. But then just wake up and play Rafa Nadal the next day. Give him a good run for his money.” This pattern of extreme drinking and competing at an elite level took a toll on his physical and emotional health, creating a cycle that seemed nearly impossible to break.
Kyrgios also revealed a painful chapter from that time—self-harm, something he tried to keep hidden by wearing sleeves on the court. He later shared that he wasn’t wearing the sleeves as a fashion statement but rather to cover the scars he had inflicted upon himself. However, at one point, fellow player Andy Murray noticed the marks on Kyrgios’s arms and asked him about it, shedding light on the severity of his mental health struggles. Kyrgios recalls how his self-harming behaviors and worsening mental health eventually led him to be admitted to a psychiatric ward during the 2019 Wimbledon tournament, following his first-round victory over Jordan Thompson and just before facing Rafael Nadal in the second round. “It was horrible,” he said, reflecting on his lowest point. “I almost like kind of enjoyed feeling that way—and that’s when I knew I had to get out of it.”
In recent years, Kyrgios has taken significant steps toward recovery. Since 2021, he has been in a relationship with Costeen Hatzi, who he credits as a major influence in helping him achieve personal and professional success, particularly in his impressive 2022 season. Hatzi, Kyrgios says, has been a grounding force, and he often credits her for helping him find stability and happiness in his life. Still, he admits that maintaining his mental health requires consistent effort. “I fight it most days,” Kyrgios confessed. “I don’t wake up feeling amazing. I know my steps to get me out of bad thinking now. I feel like I could go back into those habits in an instant. That’s how it feels. I feel like I could do those things, but I don’t want to. Before, I didn’t have any resistance. I don’t want to do that now.”
Kyrgios’s journey with mental health has been punctuated by experiences that highlight the challenges of being a high-profile athlete, and he has faced intense scrutiny, particularly regarding his behavior on and off the court. In 2015, the tennis world was shocked by comments from Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser, who criticized Kyrgios and fellow player Bernard Tomic’s behavior in an inflammatory statement: “If they don’t like it, go back to where their fathers or their parents came from. We don’t need them here in this country if they act like that.” Many viewed Fraser’s remarks as overtly racist, given Kyrgios’s Greek and Malaysian heritage, and Tomic’s Bosnian and Croatian background. Kyrgios, deeply hurt, has since pointed to these comments as a reason for his decision not to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics or in Davis Cup matches since 2019.
“One of our sporting legends told me and my family to go back to where we came from,” Kyrgios shared. “It’s arguably the most racist thing I’ve ever heard in my life. Of course, there’s racism [in Australia]. How am I going to go represent a country that one of our greatest sporting ambassadors tells you that?” For Kyrgios, Fraser’s remarks became symbolic of the pressures and prejudices he has faced as a person of diverse heritage in the spotlight.
Despite these challenges, Kyrgios has transformed his pain into advocacy for mental health. He now speaks openly about his struggles and makes himself available to those who may need support, hoping his story can offer solace or inspiration. Though he acknowledges that not every day is easy, Kyrgios’s commitment to staying on a positive path remains firm. His journey has not only helped him grow as an individual but has also positioned him as a unique figure in the world of sports—someone who is unafraid to speak out about the often-hidden battles athletes face.
As Kyrgios continues to navigate life with mental health as a priority, he stands as a reminder that the path to healing is ongoing, filled with ups and downs. Through his resilience and willingness to share his experiences, Kyrgios has become a voice for those who may feel voiceless, underscoring that even in moments of darkness, it’s possible to find the strength to move forward.