Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete a match," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
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, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had 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 complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
