The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain throughout the season.
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 as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."