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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe back issues during 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.

Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."

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

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of pre-season training 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 captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."