Stefanos Tsitsipas admitted he seriously considered retiring from tennis amid severe back pain that dominated much of his 2025 season.
The 27-year-old Greek, a former world number three and two-time Grand Slam finalist, spoke openly about the ordeal on Thursday as he prepared to launch his 2026 campaign for Greece at the United Cup in Perth, Australia.
Tsitsipas, now ranked 36th, played only two Davis Cup matches after a second-round exit at the US Open in August. The back issue limited him severely, forcing him to question his future in the sport.
“I’m most excited to see how my actual training responds with regard to my back,” Tsitsipas said. “My biggest concern was if I could finish a match. The injury haunted me for the last six or eight months. I would ask: ‘Can I play another match without pain?'”
The turning point came after his US Open defeat to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. “I got really scared after the US Open loss,” he said. “I could not walk for two days. That’s when you reconsider the future of your career.”
Tsitsipas consulted multiple medical experts and settled on a treatment plan that has shown promise. He completed five weeks of off-season training without pain, a milestone he called great feedback.
“My biggest win for 2026 would be to not have to worry about finishing matches,” he said. “It makes great feedback knowing you had a pre-season without pain — I hope it stays that way. I want to deliver for 2026 and the United Cup.”
Tsitsipas emphasized the mental toll of constant pain. He put in the work during the break and holds full belief he can return to his previous level. “I will try everything to do that,” he added.
Greece enters the United Cup as regulars in the tournament’s four-year history. Tsitsipas teams up with Maria Sakkari, another former world number three working her way back. The pair brings experience and determination to the squad.
“We are here again, with a good team and great spirit,” Tsitsipas said. “We are prepared for war — we are Greek. We’re going big.”
Greece faces Naomi Osaka’s Japan and Emma Raducanu-led Britain in their group. Tsitsipas opens against Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki on Friday in Perth.
The United Cup runs from January 2 to 11 across Perth and Sydney, serving as a key lead-in to the Australian Open. For Tsitsipas, the event represents a fresh start after a season where pain overshadowed results.
He reached two Grand Slam finals earlier in his career — Roland Garros in 2021 and the Australian Open in 2023 — and won the ATP Finals in 2019. The 2025 struggles dropped him outside the top 30 for the first time since 2017.
Tsitsipas remains focused on health above all. A pain-free run through training has restored confidence, and he aims to build on it match by match. The Greek star wants to prove his body can handle the demands again and compete at the top.
