The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.
"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."
