The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During 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 because of debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat 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."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities 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 had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."