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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport 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 after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

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

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

"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing 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, just before the Australian Open.

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

"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. 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 where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."