The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away Amid Injury-Plagued Campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open
Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had an off-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."
