The Greek tennis star Contemplated Walking Away During Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of severe spinal pain during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed 36th in the world after a limited schedule post a second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish an encounter," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the season's first major.
"The greatest victory next season would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season without pain – 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 total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."
