Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered 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, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."