Greek Star Teeters on Brink of Career-Ending Decision

In an exclusive interview, world number two Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that the chronic back pain that has plagued him throughout his 2025 season left him questioning the very fabric of his sport. The 25-year-old Greek tennis sensation has been a dominant force in men’s singles for years, but the debilitating pain forced him to withdraw from several tournaments and ultimately raised doubts about his ability to continue competing at the highest level. Tsitsipas described the feeling of living with chronic back pain as “existential” and admitted that there were times when he seriously considered hanging up his racket. The pain, which has been ongoing for several years, was exacerbated by a grueling 2025 season that saw him travel to multiple continents, often playing three matches in a row. “I was at a point where I couldn’t even walk without feeling like I was going to collapse,” Tsitsipas said, his voice laced with frustration and desperation. “I started questioning whether it was all worth it – the pain, the sacrifices, the endless travel. It got to a point where I thought about retiring, not just from tennis but from life.” However, after taking a step back and re-evaluating his priorities, Tsitsipas has decided to push through the pain and continue fighting for his spot at the top of the sport. He has been working tirelessly with his team to develop new training methods and treatments that can help alleviate the pain. “It’s not easy, but I know what I want,” Tsitsipas said, his determination palpable. “I want to be able to walk off the court without wincing in pain. I want to be able to feel my leg under me again. And most of all, I want to be able to give it 100% for as long as I can.”