The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career 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, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
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 takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
