Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of severe 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 to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move 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 pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."