Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."