The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe 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 in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."
