Stefanos Tsitsipas admits he considered retirement after being plagued by back issues in 2025 - 'Why am I doing this?'
Published 01/01/2026 at 18:14 GMT
Stefanos Tsitsipas endured a rough year in 2025, as his career fell well below previous heights which included appearances in the finals at the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open. The former world No. 3 is now ranked 36th, and hoping to gain a consistent run of matches under his belt. Live coverage of the Australian Open, starting on January 18, is on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'I'd just rather put an end to it than constantly suffer' - Tsitsipas considered retirement in 2025
Video credit: SNTV
Stefanos Tsitsipas admits that he considered retiring from tennis after being plagued by persistent back pain last year.
The 27-year-old suffered a frustrating 2025 and revealed the debilitating pain he suffered in the aftermath of his US Open second-round defeat to Germany's Daniel Altmaier.
Now Tsitsipas is hoping for brighter times in 2026, with the Australian Open coming soon, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"The thing that I'm most excited about is trying to see how my training responds to my back, because my biggest concern has been whether I actually finish a match," Tsitsipas said.
"That was going through my mind the last six to eight months. I was constantly thinking ‘if I win a match, will I be able to come back the next day and play another match without pain?’
"I got really scared after my US Open loss with my back because I just couldn't walk for two days. When things like that happen, you start reconsidering the future of your career.
"I'm just hoping 2026 doesn't bring any of that. I went to actually visit one of the best sports doctors in the world, and so far, he is promising to heal me and I'm hoping this stays for 2026.
"That's my biggest wish for 2026, is to finish matches and not have to think about any issues regarding my back."
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US Open highlights: Gauff and Zverev progress as Brit Fearnley and Tsitsipas eliminated
Video credit: SNTV
The world No. 36 spoke in more detail about his thoughts of retirement, but is hopeful of consigning the worst of his injury woes to the past.
"When you see yourself unhealthy and in such a dark and bad state constantly, not just a week or two, a lot of things cross your mind and your future flashes in front of you in terms of how you see yourself in a couple of months from now," Tsitsipas added.
"There were phases during the year when I was asking myself: 'Why am I doing this?' 'Why am I putting myself through so much pain?'
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Stefanos Tsitsipas in practice in Perth ahead of the United Cup
Image credit: Getty Images
"Pain is not an enjoyable thing when you are an athlete, and especially when it keeps coming back and reverting constantly.
"It's one of those things that, at the end, it's much better to be happier and pain free than struggling through the sport I love with pain.
"I'd just rather put an end to it if it ends up going towards this route, than just constantly suffer. I just want to be happy in the way I live my life, and if I'm not able to compete, then one day I guess I'll have to put a stop to it.
"But I don't want this to happen. I want to continue for at least 10 more years. That would be amazing and a dream of mine, but tennis has given me so much, it's tough to put a stop to it. It messes up your mind a lot."
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Tsitsipas was speaking ahead of representing Greece at the United Cup event in Perth, where his country have been placed in a group alongside Great Britain and Japan.
The Greece team is captained by his brother Petros, and also includes former women's world No. 3 Maria Sakkari.
Greece will face Japan first in the Friday night session, before coming up against Great Britain on Monday.
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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