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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my body holds up under actual training with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."