The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."
