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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"

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

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

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 captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."