The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."
