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 pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past 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 move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
