Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of severe back issues throughout the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"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 could not to move for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal for 2026 would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
