Stefanos Tsitsipas Contemplated Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about ending his career because of severe spinal pain throughout the season.
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.
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 continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened 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."
He also reported satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging realizing 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.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."