Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain during the season.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to 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 early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry 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?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."