Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career due to debilitating back issues 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.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."