Nick Kyrgios acknwoledges mental problems after Australian Open meltdown

World No. 13 Nick Kyrgios crashed out of the 2017 Australian Open in dramatic fashion after blowing a two-set advantage against Italian Andreas Seppi on Wednesday evening. After the defeat, the Aussie admitted that he suffered a mental breakdown during the match and acknowledged the need for a coach going forward.

Kyrgios, currently Australia's No. 1 ranked player, suffered a knee injury while playing basketball earlier in the summer and cited "poor management" for his banged-up body after the 1-6 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-1 10-8 second round loss at the Hisense Arena court in Melbourne Park.

During the course of the match, Kyrgios was warned twice by umpires for swearing and racquet abuse but the 21-year-old blew his lid during the third set after blowing match point against the 89th-ranked Italian.

Kyrgios, after being booed out of the arena by his home fans, admitted the need for a coach. "It’s mental (my problems). Mental side of things are big for me. That’s where a coach would be good ... I don’t think there’s anyone in the top 100 without a coach except for me. That needs to change.

“Got to start taking it (the need for a coach) more seriously. Pre-season is an important part of the year. You build foundations for the rest of the year. Yeah, it’s (this loss) on me. Obviously, I wasn’t physically 100 per cent. But it’s mental," said Kyrgios, who was seen yelling at his courtside box during the match, via The Australian.

John McEnroe calls Nick Kyrgios "a black eye" for the sport of tennis

John McEnroe was at the arena Wednesday calling the match for broadcaster ESPN. Kyrgios' antics propelled the American tennis legend to call the Aussie "a black eye for the sport" while constantly voicing frustration over the volatile star's behaviour. "I don't mind, obviously if you know my history or career at all, someone who's emotional and goes to far at times and say the wrong things," McEnroe said on air, via Sydney Morning Herald.

"I would call it overall a damn shame, because I think he's the most talented guy in the world, maybe aged 29 or under. He could be the best player in the world, but mentally he's about 200 in the world."

Last October, the Canberra native received an eight-week suspension for throwing away a match during the Shanghai Masters before having it reduced on the condition that he visited a psychologist. When asked if his therapist was in Melbourne, Kyrgios said: “Johnny Mack will know, mate. Just talk to him. He knows everything" before pronouncing that his counselling was "going very well".

After his dramatic collapse, Nick Kyrgios admitted that it pained him to be booed by home fans. "I didn't have the best preparation coming into the Australian Open. Pretty banged up, my body. You know, I don't even know what the score was in the end. Was it 10-8? 10-8 in the fifth, getting booed off, definitely not the best feeling."