The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of severe back issues throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-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 complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
