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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the 2025 tennis year.

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.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training holds up under actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."