Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered 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 because of debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
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.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"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 completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed 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 in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
