The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
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.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
