Stefanos Tsitsipas says he thought of retiring from tennis due to severe again ache in the course of the 2025 season.

The 27-year-old has been as excessive as quantity three on this planet and was runner-up to Novak Djokovic on the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked thirty sixth on this planet after enjoying simply two Davis Cup matches since a second-round exit on the US Open in August, he mentioned he’s lastly seeing progress by ongoing medical therapy.

“I am most excited to see how my precise coaching responds with regard to my again,” Tsitsipas mentioned.

“My largest concern was if I might end a match,” added Tsitsipas, who mentioned the harm had haunted him “for the final six or eight months”.

“I’d ask, ‘Can I play one other match with out ache?’”

“I obtained actually scared after the US Open loss [to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier]. I couldn’t stroll for 2 days. That is once you rethink the way forward for your profession.”

Tsitsipas added he was glad together with his present care plan after finishing 5 weeks of low season coaching with out ache.

He’ll play for Greece, who’re grouped with Naomi Osaka’s Japan and the Emma Raducanu-led Nice Britain crew within the United Cup, which is able to happen in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week earlier than the Australian Open.

“My largest win for 2026 can be to not have to fret about ending matches,” he mentioned.

“It makes nice suggestions understanding you had a pre-season with out ache – I hope it stays that means. I wish to ship for 2026 and the United Cup.

“I put within the work. Crucial factor is full perception that I can come again to the place I used to be. I’ll attempt all the things to try this.”