Nick Kyrgios ‘very thankful’ for Andy Murray trying to help him after spotting self-harm during practice session

— This article covers sensitive topics that some readers may find upsetting —

Nick Kyrgios has thanked Andy Murray for helping him after noticing evidence of self-harm.

Earlier this year he uploaded a photo on social media from the 2019 Australian Open, showing marks on his right arm.

He says Murray has always been one of his “big supporters” and tried to offer him advice during a practice session the pair had together.

“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.”

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

“I hated myself. I hated waking up and being Nick Kyrgios.”

Kyrgios said earlier this year that he was “proud” to say he had “completely turned” himself around.

He won the Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis in early 2022 and also reached the Wimbledon final that year, losing to Novak Djokovic.

He revealed that he has now been the one trying to help people who have been contacting him with “genuine issues”.

“I feel like I’ve helped so many people after I opened up about it and put it on social media,” Kyrgios said.

“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.”

Kyrgios only played one match on the ATP Tour this season due to injury.

It is not known if he will be ready for the Australian Open, which starts on January 14.