The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe spinal pain during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up 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 in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, 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, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
