Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play 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 two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
