Nick Kyrgios gives thanks to Andy Murray for taking him ‘under his wing’ amid mental health battle

Nick Kyrgios has given thanks to Andy Murray for ‘looking out’ for him during his mental health battle.

Kyrgios has spoken out about his mental health battle on numerous occasions in the past, previously admitting that he had contemplated suicide and had spent time in a psychiatric hospital in 2019.

The Aussie revealed that former world No. 1 Murray has been one of his ‘biggest supporters’ and thanked him for taking him ‘under his wing’ after the Scot spotted signs of self-harm.

‘’Andy was always a big supporter of me," Kyrgios said on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Talk TV.

"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.’’

Reflecting on his mental health journey, 28-year-old Kyrgios revealed that he has been able to help other people struggling with similar feelings along the way, describing himself as a ‘beacon’ of hope for those who have been able to relate to him.

‘’I think it was all a year-and-a-half to two years of just complete harm. It was pretty dark to be honest,’’ Kyrgios added.

‘’I hated myself. I hated waking up and being Nick Kyrgios.

‘’I feel like I've helped so many people after I opened up about it and put it on social media.

"I've almost been a beacon for people who are struggling. 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.’’