The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating back issues throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen 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 Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."
