The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Injury-Plagued 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating back issues throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka 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 expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
