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 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.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"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, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
