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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside 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 this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under actual training 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 six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest 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 is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

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

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the team championship.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."