Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain 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 in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
