Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating back issues during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against 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 in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not 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 after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had 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 most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."
