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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

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

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."