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The tennis professional disclosed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe back issues during the season.

The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist against Novak Djokovic at both the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.

Currently placed 36th in the world following minimal competition since his second-round departure in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training responds during regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.

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

"I would wonder, 'Can I compete another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment start reconsidering the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, just before the season's first major.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying about finishing matches," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you had a pre-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"The effort is invested. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."