Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals he "could not walk for two days" after his US Open exit and considered walking away from pro tennis due to persistent back pain and discomfort.
In late 2023, the two-time Grand Slam finalist picked up a back injury and has been managing it since then.
Sometimes during last year's clay season, Tsitsipas' back injury worsened and started to cause him some major trouble. Before shutting down his season in September, the Greek's last back-to-back wins came at the Barcelona Open in April.
Now, ahead of his return to action at the United Cup, the current world No. 36 reveals how bad the injury looked after his US Open second-round loss to Daniel Altmaier.
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Tsitsipas: My biggest concern was if I could finish a match...
"I'm most excited to see how my actual training responds with regard to my back. My biggest concern was if I could finish a match... I would ask: 'Can I play another match without pain?' I got really scared after the US Open loss. I could not walk for two days. That's when you reconsider the future of your career," the 27-year-old sad at the United Cup.
After Tsitsipas ended prematurely his 2025 season, his back responded positively to the treatment that he underwent. The Greek tennis star is now ready to play - hopes to stay healthy in 2026 - but also rediscover his best form.
"It makes great feedback knowing you had a preseason without pain. I hope it stays that way. I want to deliver for 2026 and the United Cup. I put in the work. The most important thing is full belief that I can come back to where I was. I will try everything to do that," the former world No. 3 added.
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For the fourth year in a row, Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari are leading Greece at the United Cup. The top-ranked Greece male tennis player plays against Shintaro Mochizuki on Friday.
