The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued 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 throughout 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 at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."
