The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of severe 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 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks 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 British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."