Photo: Monica Schipper/GettyChamps confide in champs.During “A Conversation with Champions” panel ahead of the U.S. Open at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City,Nick Kyrgiosopened up about his challenges with mental health — and creditsNaomi Osakafor helping him through it.“I actually struggled early with mental health and there were times in my tennis career where I was really struggling,” the Australian tennis player, 27, revealed on Thursday night. “I wasn’t sure if I was OK to feel that way,” he added.“But then, actually, I met Naomi,” Kyrgios further explained to panel hosts Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer of theTODAYshow. “We did a podcast together, and she kind of opened up.“Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Lotte New York PalaceWhile their interaction was nonetheless enlightening for Kyrgios, it was Osaka’s courageous decision tovoluntarily withdraw from the French Openlast year,citing mental health, that really impacted him the most.“That kind of opened my eyes saying, ‘Wow, there’s another tennis player as great as the champion she is, that was also going through that,'” he said of Osaka. “Made me feel more comfortable to open up about it,” Kyrgios added.Despite the athlete’s rocky past, of which he admitted that he “[hasn’t] always been the best role model,” he humbly noted that “he’s learning.” In fact, his newly demonstrated actions have left a positive impact on his fans.Nick Kyrgios.Javier Garcia/ShutterstockIn February, Kyrgios detailed in an Instagram post that the 2019 Australian Open was one of “the darkest periods” of his life. He explained that he’s since then overcame those challenges and emphasized to his followers that they aren’t alone.“I deal with messages every day with people who are reaching out and I try to respond to as many people as I can,” the tennis player said. “I think men around my age really struggle to open up. Can’t feel weak… [Naomi] helped me a lot with that.“Monica Schipper/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Though Osaka, 24, appreciated the meaningful impact she had on Kyrgios, andother athletesaround the world, she made it clear that sharingher own personal journeywith anxiety and depression wasn’t easy.“It was definitely really difficult for me, but it made it worth it to see that a lot of people had similar feelings and that they were glad I opened up about it,” the four-time Grand Slam champ said at the forum. “I think in the moment it was really hard, but seeing how it helped people made it worth it.”
Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty
Champs confide in champs.During “A Conversation with Champions” panel ahead of the U.S. Open at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City,Nick Kyrgiosopened up about his challenges with mental health — and creditsNaomi Osakafor helping him through it.“I actually struggled early with mental health and there were times in my tennis career where I was really struggling,” the Australian tennis player, 27, revealed on Thursday night. “I wasn’t sure if I was OK to feel that way,” he added.“But then, actually, I met Naomi,” Kyrgios further explained to panel hosts Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer of theTODAYshow. “We did a podcast together, and she kind of opened up.“Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Lotte New York PalaceWhile their interaction was nonetheless enlightening for Kyrgios, it was Osaka’s courageous decision tovoluntarily withdraw from the French Openlast year,citing mental health, that really impacted him the most.“That kind of opened my eyes saying, ‘Wow, there’s another tennis player as great as the champion she is, that was also going through that,'” he said of Osaka. “Made me feel more comfortable to open up about it,” Kyrgios added.Despite the athlete’s rocky past, of which he admitted that he “[hasn’t] always been the best role model,” he humbly noted that “he’s learning.” In fact, his newly demonstrated actions have left a positive impact on his fans.Nick Kyrgios.Javier Garcia/ShutterstockIn February, Kyrgios detailed in an Instagram post that the 2019 Australian Open was one of “the darkest periods” of his life. He explained that he’s since then overcame those challenges and emphasized to his followers that they aren’t alone.“I deal with messages every day with people who are reaching out and I try to respond to as many people as I can,” the tennis player said. “I think men around my age really struggle to open up. Can’t feel weak… [Naomi] helped me a lot with that.“Monica Schipper/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Though Osaka, 24, appreciated the meaningful impact she had on Kyrgios, andother athletesaround the world, she made it clear that sharingher own personal journeywith anxiety and depression wasn’t easy.“It was definitely really difficult for me, but it made it worth it to see that a lot of people had similar feelings and that they were glad I opened up about it,” the four-time Grand Slam champ said at the forum. “I think in the moment it was really hard, but seeing how it helped people made it worth it.”
Champs confide in champs.
During “A Conversation with Champions” panel ahead of the U.S. Open at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City,Nick Kyrgiosopened up about his challenges with mental health — and creditsNaomi Osakafor helping him through it.
“I actually struggled early with mental health and there were times in my tennis career where I was really struggling,” the Australian tennis player, 27, revealed on Thursday night. “I wasn’t sure if I was OK to feel that way,” he added.
“But then, actually, I met Naomi,” Kyrgios further explained to panel hosts Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer of theTODAYshow. “We did a podcast together, and she kind of opened up.”
Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace
While their interaction was nonetheless enlightening for Kyrgios, it was Osaka’s courageous decision tovoluntarily withdraw from the French Openlast year,citing mental health, that really impacted him the most.
“That kind of opened my eyes saying, ‘Wow, there’s another tennis player as great as the champion she is, that was also going through that,'” he said of Osaka. “Made me feel more comfortable to open up about it,” Kyrgios added.
Despite the athlete’s rocky past, of which he admitted that he “[hasn’t] always been the best role model,” he humbly noted that “he’s learning.” In fact, his newly demonstrated actions have left a positive impact on his fans.
Nick Kyrgios.Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
In February, Kyrgios detailed in an Instagram post that the 2019 Australian Open was one of “the darkest periods” of his life. He explained that he’s since then overcame those challenges and emphasized to his followers that they aren’t alone.
“I deal with messages every day with people who are reaching out and I try to respond to as many people as I can,” the tennis player said. “I think men around my age really struggle to open up. Can’t feel weak… [Naomi] helped me a lot with that.”
Monica Schipper/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Though Osaka, 24, appreciated the meaningful impact she had on Kyrgios, andother athletesaround the world, she made it clear that sharingher own personal journeywith anxiety and depression wasn’t easy.
“It was definitely really difficult for me, but it made it worth it to see that a lot of people had similar feelings and that they were glad I opened up about it,” the four-time Grand Slam champ said at the forum. “I think in the moment it was really hard, but seeing how it helped people made it worth it.”
source: people.com
