🔗 Share this article

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."