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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to 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 following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, '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 could not to move for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering your career's future."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"The greatest victory for 2026 is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."