The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign

The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain throughout 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 and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my body holds up under actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

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

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at 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."