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

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule post a second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain 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 could not to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"The greatest victory for 2026 would be to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."