Australian tennis star Kyrgios splits from coach less than one week from Wimbledon

SYDNEY - Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has split with coach Todd Larkham less than a week out from the United Kingdom Wimbledon grand slam tennis tournament.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia bites his necklace after losing a point to Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 27, 2015.?[Photo/Agencies]

Kyrgios made the announcement via a social media post on Tuesday, saying the split with long time coach Todd Larkham was mutually agreed.

"It's never an easy decision to end a coaching relationship and to do so prior to the start of a grand slam is even more difficult, " Kyrgios said on his website. "But I feel that this is the right decision for me at this time."

Local media reported Larkham had coached Kyrgios from the age of 10 until 2013 when Tennis Australia national coach Simon Rea took his place.

Larkham returned to coaching the Australian tennis star after the then 19-year-old Kyrgios defeated tennis world no. 1 Rafael Nadal in four sets at the 2014 Wimbledon tournament

"I am very grateful for everything Todd has taught me and helped me with, especially during the last year," Kyrgios said. " While our working relationship has ended, Todd and I will remain friends as he has been a very important person in my life."

Kyrgios said he would work closely with his teammates and Tennis Australia throughout the Wimbledon grand slam tournament - which starts June 29 - regrouping afterwards to figure the best place for his future.