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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about ending his career because of debilitating back issues throughout the season.

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

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my back," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry centered on if I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, '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 walk for two days. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece at the team event, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"My main goal next season would be to not have concerns over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had a pre-season in good health – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver 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 attempt everything to make it happen."