The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.
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 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed 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 most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
