Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled 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 back issues during 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.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"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 make it happen."
