Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move 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 five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities 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 expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
