Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Injury-Plagued 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 debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both 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, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
