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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match pain-free?'"

"It was genuinely scary following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had an off-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."