The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.
"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."