The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of severe spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament 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 is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
