Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport because of severe spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, 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 after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
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 captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
