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The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport because of debilitating back issues during the 2025 tennis year.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist to 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 early exit in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."

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

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen after finishing five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.

"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."