The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had 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 most important thing is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."
