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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I could complete an encounter," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."