The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice 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 would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
