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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career due to debilitating spinal pain during the season.

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

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure in New York in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."