Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign

A competitive moment for Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas was the 26th seed at last year's US Open

The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain during 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 at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete a match," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

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

"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."

Tanya Webster
Tanya Webster

Mira Thorne is a seasoned journalist and political analyst with over a decade of experience covering European affairs and digital trends.