Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
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.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play 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 start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. 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."
