The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

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

"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That's when you 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 completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."