Stefanos Tsitsipas Seriously Considered Walking Away During Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his early exit in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

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

"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened 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 the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

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