Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away Amid 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 due to debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play 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 two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"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.
"The effort is invested. 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."
