After a year marked by many difficult moments, Stefanos Tsitsipas admitted that he thought about retirement: “I was very scared”

Stefanos Tsitsipas had a modest year, marked by the unsuccessful collaboration with coach Goran Ivanisevic and reconciliation with Apostolos Tsitsipas, his father. The 27-year-old player finished 2025 with a record of 22 wins and 18 losses, with one title (Dubai) and prize money worth $2,174,910 million.

Stefanos Tsitsipas' season affected by some back problems: “I couldn't walk for two days”

In the last few months of the year, Tsitsipas has been battling some excruciating back pain, which started after his second-round match with Daniel Altmaier at the US Open. The Greek was defeated in 5 sets by the German, score 7-6 (5), 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, who took advantage of his opponent's physical problems.

Tsitsipas returned to the field on September 13, in the duel between Greece and Brazil in the Davis Cup, and then he only played at the Six Kings Slamthe demonstration tour organized in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The start of 2026 finds the world number 36 in Perth, Australia, where he will compete in the United Cup. Greece was drawn in Group E, along with Japan and Great Britain.

“I am very excited to see how I do in training today, considering my back. My biggest concern was whether I would be able to finish any more matches,” said Tsitsipas, as quoted by Marca.

“I was really scared after losing the US Open. I couldn't walk for two days. That's the moment when you reconsider your career future“, he added, implying that he was thinking about retiring during 2025.

In the end, Tsitsipas' career did not end prematurely, and he will debut in 2026 with a duel with the Japanese Shintaro Mochizuki (22 years old, 99 ATP) and a confrontation with the British Billy Harris (30 years old, 128 ATP).

The United Cup takes place during January 2-11in Perth and Sydney, two big cities in Australia.