Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career due to debilitating back issues during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, 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 after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
