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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career due to severe back issues throughout the season.

At 27 years old, the player once ranked as high as third globally, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open and the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my training responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

"I kept asking, 'Can I compete another contest without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of pre-season training completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The competition will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.

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

"I have done the work. The crucial element is complete faith that I can return to my previous level. I will attempt everything to achieve that."