Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, '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 move for two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
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 at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at 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 achieve that."