The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
