Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating back issues throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, 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?'"

"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 begin to question the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."