Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign

The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career because of severe back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."