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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues throughout the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both 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, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal for 2026 is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."