The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
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 tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."
