Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport because of severe back issues throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open in August, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
