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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered quitting the sport because of severe 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 as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training with regard to my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"

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

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition takes place across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"The greatest victory for 2026 is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you completed a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."