Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to 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 second-round departure 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 training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
