Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of severe spinal pain during the season.
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.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."