Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed on Thursday that he seriously contemplated retiring from tennis due to severe back pain that plagued him throughout much of the 2025 season.
The former world number three, now ranked 36th after playing just two Davis Cup matches since a second-round exit at the US Open, mentioned that his ongoing medical treatment seems to be effective.
“I’m most excited to see how my training responds with regard to my back,” the 27-year-old said as he prepared to start his 2026 campaign for Greece at the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth, Australia.
“My biggest concern was whether I could finish a match,” added the 2023 Australian Open finalist, who stated that the injury had troubled him “for the last six or eight months.”
“I would ask myself: ‘Can I play another match without pain?'”
“I got really scared after the US Open loss (to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier). I couldn’t walk for two days. That’s when you reconsider the future of your career.”
Tsitsipas said that after various medical consultations, he is now satisfied with his current care plan.
“My biggest win for 2026 would be to not have to worry about finishing matches,” he said, adding that he completed five weeks of off-season training without pain.
“It’s great feedback knowing you had a pre-season without pain — I hope it stays that way. I want to deliver for 2026 and the United Cup.
“I put in the work. The most important thing is full belief that I can come back to where I was. I will try everything to do that.”
Greece have become regulars in the four-year history of the United Cup, played in Perth and Sydney, with fellow comeback hopeful Maria Sakkari, also a former world number three, joining Tsitsipas in the team.
“We are here again, with a good team and great spirit. We are prepared for war — we are Greek. We’re going big,” Tsitsipas said.
Greece are grouped with Naomi Osaka’s Japan and the Emma Raducanu-led Britain.
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