🔗 Share this article

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

"I would wonder, '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 two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."