The Greek tennis star 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 thought about ending his career due to debilitating back issues during 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.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body holds up under regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play 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."
He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"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 team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."
