The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Injury-Plagued Campaign

The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career due to severe back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.

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

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

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

"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had an off-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.

"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 make it happen."