Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement During Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career because of severe spinal pain during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
