Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to 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 against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported satisfaction regarding 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 in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."