The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement During Injury-Plagued Campaign
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain throughout the season.
At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his second-round departure at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.
"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," commented Tsitsipas.
"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."
He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.
His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.
"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.
"It is incredibly encouraging to know you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."