The Greek tennis star Contemplated Retirement Amid Pain-Filled Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport due to debilitating back issues during the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York in August, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry centered on if I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"
"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.
He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season would be to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform in 2026 and at the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."