🔗 Share this article

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe back issues during the season.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"

"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's when you start reconsidering your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had a pre-season in good health – 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 in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."