.png)
11 months ago
61
Comedy star Elliot Loney has revealed how his close friend Nick Kyrgios saved his life as he considered suicide this year.
Known for his impersonations of tennis stars like Rafael Nadal and a wide range of celebrities, the stand-up comic from Melbourne took to Instagram with the heartfelt story of how the tennis bad boy rescued him when he was at his lowest ebb.
'This year for me has been tough. Without doubt there's been days when I wanted to end it all,' he wrote.
'I've been a wreck. Pain the likes of which I never thought I'd have to endure. I'll never forget this.
'The first person who called me? Nick Kyrgios.
Loney (pictured with Kyrgios) has credited the star for saving his life when he hit a low point earlier this year and was left 'a wreck'
Kyrgios took the comic under his wing, flying him to Canberra and taking him in (pictured from left to right: Kyrgios' father Giorgos, Kyrgios, Loney, Kyrgios' mother Norlaila, and his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi)
'I was a mess. He stayed on the phone with me until I stopped crying and shared his own similar experiences in losing a loved one/enduring hardship with me so I didn't feel so alone.'
Calling Kyrgios one of the 'real ones' in his life, he went on to explain that the Wimbledon finalist 'flew me to Canberra, took me in with his family' and looked after him, even buying new shoes for him and his father.
Loney was at pains to point out that many people have the wrong idea about Kyrgios when they brand him a tennis brat and they should 'question what you hear or read from time to time'.
'One of the most selfless, genuine, caring people I have ever known,' he wrote.
'To the "villain" of Australian tennis. Thanks for everything, you saved my life.'
Loney (pictured with Kyrgios) wants people who think of his close mate as a 'villain' due to his on-court antics to 'question what you hear or read from time to time'
Kyrgios reposted Loney's words along with the words 'my brother'.
Six weeks ago the comedian and impressionist posted a shot of him in Canberra with Kyrgios, his mother, father and girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, accompanied by a love heart emoji.
The tennis star replied with 'door is always open', with his mother Norlaila adding, 'Always welcome Loney! See you again soon xxx'.
Kyrgios offered offered a rare insight into his humble beginnings in life and what happens off-court on tour when he appeared on Loney's podcast in 2020.
The 28-year-old (pictured with Costeen Hatzi) re-posted Loney's message for his Instagram followers and simply added the words 'my brother'
The 28-year-old laughed as he told how he once took on Rafael Nadal despite being 'hungover' from an enormous night out and offered eye-opening accounts of the struggles he faced to get to where he is - such as regular stays in cheap motels or caravan parks across Australia.
'I always had an amazing support crew around me. My mum gave up a lot driving me to tournaments around the country,' Kyrgios recounted.
'[We were] staying in pretty s***ty hotels, backpackers and caravan parks, but it was all part of the journey.
'Back then it was just about being with the boys, but I always had a lot of support around me, that's for sure.'
English (US)