🔗 Share this article

The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."

He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance 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 in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."