The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up 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 post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."