🔗 Share this article

The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

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

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.

"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.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."