Professional tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed a deeply personal struggle that nearly ended his celebrated career, sharing how debilitating back pain pushed him to the brink of retirement in 2025.

The 27-year-old Greek tennis sensation, who has previously reached world rankings as high as number three and competed in prestigious Grand Slam finals against Novak Djokovic, confronted a potentially career-threatening injury that left him questioning his future in the sport.

During an intimate and candid disclosure, Tsitsipas described the harrowing moments following his US Open loss to Daniel Altmaier, where he was so physically compromised that he could not walk for two days. This traumatic experience triggered serious contemplation about potentially stepping away from professional tennis permanently.

Currently ranked 36th globally, Tsitsipas has been strategically managing his recovery, having completed five weeks of off-season training without experiencing pain. His medical treatment has finally begun showing promising progress, rekindling his hope and determination to return to top-tier competitive play.

"My biggest win for 2026 would be to not have to worry about finishing matches," Tsitsipas shared, revealing the emotional and physical toll the injury has taken. His primary concern has been whether he could complete matches without debilitating pain, a question that haunted him for six to eight critical months.

Despite the significant challenges, Tsitsipas remains committed to his comeback. He will represent Greece in the upcoming United Cup, competing alongside teams from Japan and Great Britain, demonstrating his unwavering resilience and passion for the sport.

"I put in the work," Tsitsipas stated firmly. "The most important thing is full belief that I can come back to where I was. I will try everything to do that." His statement reflects not just a professional athlete's determination, but a profound personal journey of overcoming physical limitations and maintaining hope in the face of potential career-ending adversity.