The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career 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, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
