"Drinking like a fish": Nick Kyrgios reflects on his mental health struggles and addiction in 2019
ATP
Nick
Kyrgios spoke about the “worst year of his life” when he struggled with mental
health issues in 2019. The Australian admitted it was a period when he
drank alcohol every night, even before playing official matches the next
morning.
The former world No. 13 dazzled the tennis world from a
young age. He won the Australian Open junior doubles title in 2013 and made his
breakthrough in 2014, when he defeated then-world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the
Round of 16 at Wimbledon, before losing to Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals.
Although Kyrgios has been hailed as perhaps the greatest
talent of his generation, he struggled for several years to fully convince,
also gaining notoriety for his frequent outbursts against the crowd or umpires.
In 2019, Kyrgios experienced a ranking drop early in the
year, taking him out of the top 70. However, he managed to recover during the
second half of the season, finishing the year in the top 30. According to the
29-year-old player, 2019 was a particularly difficult year in his personal
life, as he shared on The Louis Theroux Podcast.
"That was the worst year. That was a bad period. I
guess I was just struggling with being who I was," he said. "It was
hard at that time. I was playing. I didn't think I could take a step back from
the sport. I wanted to work on myself and get myself in the right
headspace."
"It was just playing and playing and playing and
dealing with everything, and it was a dark time. I was drinking, and I was
spiralling out of control. I was continuing to play and travel. It was a
lot."
The former Wimbledon runner-up was asked how many drinks he
had during that time, admitting that he once faced Rafael Nadal after a night
of heavy drinking. “20 to 30 drinks, easy. I was drinking like a fish.
Anything, vodka. And then wake up and play Nadal the next day."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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