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The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of severe back issues 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.

Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York this past summer, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under regular practice concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I could complete a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last six to eight months."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest without discomfort?'"

"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to move for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will try all means to achieve that."