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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe back issues throughout the season.

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

Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a early exit in New York in August, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. 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 make it happen."