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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating back issues during the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete a match," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

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

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."