The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
