Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career due to debilitating back issues throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match 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."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
