Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of severe spinal pain during the season.

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 alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."