Australia’s Nick Kyrgios is qualified for the Wimbledon final after Rafael Nadal’s forfeit. He “finally enjoys where he is” and enjoys life, said his mother.
She says she has seen a big difference in her son this year.
The 27-year-old Australian will play the biggest match of his career. He qualified after Rafael Nadal withdrew from the semi-final due to abdominal pain.
He will face the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Cameron Norrie in his first Grand Slam final.
A remarkable feat after admitting that he had suicidal thoughts, abused drugs, and self-harmed during a dark period of his life in 2019.
Kyrgios blamed his depression on the relentless pressure of tennis tournaments. Away from his family, which often led to tantrums and fines in court.
But his mother Norlaila told the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday that he was finally starting to have fun. With his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi by his side.
“He finally appreciates where he is. That’s the best thing about it,” she said.
“Before, it was difficult for us to get him to do anything. He was happy to sit in his room and play video games all the time,” she said.
“In Beijing, we wanted him to walk with us on the Great Wall of China. Who wouldn’t?
But Nick wasn’t right. He was happy to be sitting in his room and ordering. That’s what worried me.
“I remember in Canada saying, ‘Let’s go to Niagara Falls.’ He wasn’t even listening. Nick wouldn’t want to do these things. Ah, there is such a difference now,” she continued.
“I see him on his (Instagram) stories. Since the Australian Open this year (in January), he has started doing some things. Because he now understands that life doesn’t revolve around tennis.
You have to enjoy your life. I’m really happy he’s doing it now,” she concluded.
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