Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has delivered a raw and emotional account of a 2025 season ravaged by a debilitating back injury, admitting the physical and mental struggle led him to question his future in the sport.
A Season of Pain and Doubt
The former world No. 3 and two-time grand slam finalist saw his ranking plummet to 36th after a year where he failed to progress beyond the second round at any major tournament. The low point came after a second-round exit at the US Open in August. "I couldn't walk for two days," Tsitsipas revealed, detailing the immediate aftermath of his Flushing Meadows loss.
He confessed that the persistent pain led to dark moments of introspection throughout the year. "There were phases during the year where I was asking myself 'what am I doing and why am I putting myself through so much pain?'" he said. The 2023 Australian Open finalist explained that the constant discomfort made him envision a future away from the court, prioritising happiness and being pain-free over struggling through the sport he loves.
Fresh Start in Perth for United Cup
With the new season, Tsitsipas is clinging to hope for a fresh start. Speaking ahead of Greece's opening United Cup tie against Japan at Perth's RAC Arena on Friday, he expressed cautious optimism that his back issues are behind him. His primary focus is now on testing his body under match conditions. "The thing I’m most excited about is trying to see my actual training... how it responds in regards to my back, because my biggest concern has been, can I actually finish a match?" he stated.
Thankfully, the Greek star reported a pain-free pre-season, fueling his hope that 2026 will be "a year of enlightenment, a year of truth and a year of redemption." He also reaffirmed his ambition to play at the top level for another decade.
Perth: A Home Away From Home
Tsitsipas expressed a strong affinity for Perth, where he is starting his season for the second consecutive year with the Greek team at the United Cup. "I feel like we can soon be baptised here. We’ve played here plenty of times. Perth seems like it’s becoming part of one of the biggest cities of Greece, little by little," he said with a smile.
Looking ahead to the team competition, Tsitsipas issued a rallying cry for his teammates, signalling a determined comeback. "I’m really hoping each and every one of our teammates is ready and prepared for war. We’re going big. We are fighters." For Tsitsipas, the United Cup in Western Australia represents not just the start of a new season, but the first step in a crucial journey back to the top.
