Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled 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 spinal pain during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you had a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."
