Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
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.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, '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 two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation 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 led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
