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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career due to severe spinal pain throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside 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 is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

"I kept asking, 'Am I able to play in another match without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The competition will be held across Australian cities in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"The effort is invested. The crucial element is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to make it happen."