The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
He also reported 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 at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
