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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport because of severe spinal pain during 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 since his early exit at the US Open in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing encouraging progress.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," said Tsitsipas.

"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, noting the injury had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

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

"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 begin to question your career's future."

He also reported satisfaction regarding his current recovery plan after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The competition takes place in Perth and Sydney in early January, just before the season's first major.

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

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed an off-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"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."