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

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited is to observe how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play 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 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan following the completion of an extended period of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

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

"It provides fantastic feedback realizing you had an off-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver in 2026 and at the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is total belief in my ability to get back to where I was. I will attempt everything to make it happen."