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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

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

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [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 the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

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

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."