Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Walking Away Amid Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain 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 as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."