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

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a second-round departure in New York in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my training responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported 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 captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.

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

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."