Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe back issues during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation 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 competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the season's first major.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."
