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The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career 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 to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, he stated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my body holds up under actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete in another match without discomfort?'"

"It was genuinely scary after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for two days. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."

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

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief that I can return to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."