Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career 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 at both 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 this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play 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 his current recovery plan 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 Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."