Nick Kyrgios reveals he thought about not playing tennis after Australian Open

• Tennis News

Nick Kyrgios' improvements mentally in the last weeks are clear. The Australian tennis player, who reached quarter-finals at Indian Wells beating Novak Djokovic and this week he reached the quarters too, spoke about his progress in an interview to Sky Sports 'I am mentally stronger now. I am trying to compete on every point and to have a good mentality.

I am working very hard mentally starting in practice and trying to enjoy. After Australian Open I was in a very dark place. Obviously it felt like all the country was against me after I lost. Even though no other Australian did really well, but I copped it all, I felt.

I didn’t want to play for a bit. I was going to take a break for who knows (how long)? I was talking to my team, like, ‘I can’t really play anymore’.” I am thankful to my family that backed me and helped me through tough times.' But now the Australian player is calm again after some very tough months for him also in 2016 where he was suspended for three-week tournaments due to bad conduct in Shanghai.

And with not so many points to defend on clay, he may rise in the ATP Rankings even more. ALSO READ: Nick Kyrgios: 'Let's have a Masters 1000 on grass!'