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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.

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.

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training responds during regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

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

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"My main goal for 2026 is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."