The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to 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 since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
