Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain ā I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."