Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, '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 move for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

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

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed 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 most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."