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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to 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 early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during 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 plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation 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 British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

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