The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport because of severe back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training responds during actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
