The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, 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 in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
