Nick Kyrgios drops bombshell against racism

Kyrgios conducted a lengthy interview with former social media foe and apparently now outspoken British friend, Piers Morgan.

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The duo cover a wide range of topics over around 50 minutes, including the racism that his Malaysian mother Norlaila and Greek-born father George experienced after emigrating to Australia.

Kyrgios, 28, was reluctant to delve further into the subject, but dropped the brutal revelation that it wasn’t just schoolyard bullying, but “some of the legends of our sport” who were racially abusing his family.

“Yes, the Kyrgios family has definitely faced their share of racism in Australia,” Kyrgios said on Piers Morgan uncensored.

“But look, it’s such a stupid subject to me and I don’t like talking about it.

“But yes, it was difficult for us. You know, some legends of our sport have told me and my family to go back to where we came from.

“I was born in Australia, raised there and represented the country for 27 years in everything I did.

“So it’s definitely something we’ve had to deal with.

“But it just makes you stronger, I have incredibly thick skin and it’s all a process.

“One day, I hope this subject will no longer be brought up.”

A high-profile figure who has made documented comments about Kyrgios and another polarizing tennis figure, Bernard Tomic, was swimming legend Dawn Fraser.

When Fraser was asked in 2015 about the two young stars’ irritable behavior at the time, she replied: “They should set a better example for the younger generation of this country, a great country of ours.”

“If they don’t like it, go back to where their fathers or parents came from. We don’t need them here in this country if they’re doing this.”

Kyrgios reportedly responded to the comments at the time by calling Fraser a “blatant racist.”

When asked how he would like to be judged, Canberra-born Kyrgios told Morgan about his own diverse circle of friendship.

“You look at my friendship group, I have all types of friends from everywhere and we all get along so well,” he said.

“And I think it’s such a silly topic. At the end of the day, we are all human beings and when we all work together, we can all accomplish amazing things together.

“And yes, it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re white or black. It’s just a very stupid subject.

Kyrgios has been a polarizing figure throughout his career, with his outbursts on the pitch and the belief by some that he failed to capitalize on his talents regularly proving divisive.

The fact that he has earned more than $18 million in his career from tennis alone, won seven career titles and reached a Wimbledon final has left Kyrgios at least very comfortable with what he accomplished.

Morgan asked Kyrgios about his retirement, with the Australian coming off a horrible year in which he managed just one ATP Tour match due to injury.

Kyrgios still has a lot to sort out, but he wishes there were lower league options like there are in football.

Players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue their careers into their late 30s, competing in leagues that are at least a rung or two below the top tier.

“Football has a bit of a different framework, you don’t have to compete at the absolute highest level in the EPL or La Liga,” he said.

“You know there are all these different leagues where you can make incredible amounts of money and play at maybe 60, 70 percent.

“If it was an option for tennis, I would definitely re-evaluate my options. Right now I’m dealing with some health issues, so I’m just trying to get healthy.

“I definitely don’t see myself going anywhere in the near future.

“I want to come back to the Tour and have one or two more very, very good years and I think it’s possible.

“And then, if there are other leagues offering good money, I will definitely look to extend my career.

“But there is a lot of work to be done in the world of tennis. I’m a day to day guy, I don’t like to set plans, I just watch how my body feels.

“Plans may change.”

Among other topics covered – that is, when Morgan wasn’t talking about himself, his tweets, or his own tennis attempts, which unfortunately takes up much of the interview – Kyrgios addresses topics fascinating.

They understand the Australian thanks Andy Murray for helping him overcome suicidal thoughts after spotting signs of self-harm on the Australian.

Kyrgios has detailed his issues from four years ago when he suffered from depression and substance abuse after previously revealing he was admitted to a psychiatric ward in London after losing to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2019.

Kyrgios said: “Andy has always been a big supporter of me. As soon as I arrived at the Tour, he kind of saw a work in progress and took me under his wing.

“Then he realized later in my career that I didn’t think I was coachable or that I was on my own path, but he was always someone looking out for me.

“He saw (the self-harm) and he said, ‘What’s that on your arm?’ It was pretty bad at this point.

“Andy was obviously trying to give me advice about it. But I was so stuck in my ways at that point that I didn’t listen. Obviously, I am very grateful. I thank him very much.

He also discussed how his mother can no longer watch his tumultuous tennis matches live – because she has a pacemaker.

The Canberran is a crowd favorite among tennis fans, but his appearances sometimes see him overstepping boundaries, smashing rackets or arguing with officials.

For mom Norlaila, the idea of ​​watching her son play tennis matches is considered far too stressful and causes great anxiety.

Kyrgios said: “She has a pacemaker now – so I don’t think she will be able to attend any of my matches, especially the Australian Open or Wimbledon, with the ups and downs, the madness that happens.

“It’s just too risky. So she watches from home. My whole team comes to see me live. She will stay at home and watch on television.

“I know she watches me all the time. I stressed this woman out so much – and I’m sorry! She’s really proud of my work and how much I’ve grown.

“I wish she could look at me one last time. It would be a dream. It would be really special if she could hold on for a few more years.