Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
