Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.
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.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan 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.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback 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 in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."