Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Injury-Plagued Campaign

The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of severe back issues during the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 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.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."