Nick Kyrgios says he is “very thankful” to Andy Murray for helping him with his mental health struggles.
Kyrgios said he later got a sleeve tattoo on his right arm to cover up evidence of self-harm.
“He [Murray] saw it [the self-harm], and he said, ‘What’s that on your arm?'” Kyrgios told TalkTV.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored he added: “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.”
According to the Times, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray had asked Kyrgios about the marks on his arm during a practice session, before the Scot alerted Kyrgios’ manager John Morris to what he had seen.
“Andy was always a big supporter of me,” Kyrgios, 28, added.
“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.”
Kyrgios wrote a lengthy Instagram post in February 2022 about his mental health struggles, saying he had had “suicidal thoughts” and “struggled to get out of bed” in 2019, pointing out self-harm marks on his arm in a photo from the Australian Open.
He finished the post by saying he was currently in a much better place.
The Australian, who reached last year’s final of Wimbledon before losing to Novak Djokovic, says the most “powerful thing” in his career is now being able to help people with their mental health problems.
“I’ve almost been a beacon for people who are struggling,” he added. “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.”
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any issues raised in this article, support and information is available at BBC Action Line. You can also contact the Samaritans on a free helpline at 116 123, or visit the website.
