The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement During Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport because of debilitating spinal pain during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a second-round departure at the US Open this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.
"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "over the last half a year or more."
"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary 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 your career's future."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding 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 Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding 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 in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."