Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled 2025 Season
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain 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 alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed 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 crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
