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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he pondered ending his career because of severe spinal pain throughout the season.

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

Now ranked 36th in the world following minimal competition post a early exit in New York this past summer, he stated continuous medical care has begun yielding positive results.

"I'm most excited lies in seeing how my body responds during actual training with regard to my back," said Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I was able to finish a match," he added, explaining the pain plagued him "for the past half a year or more."

"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play another contest pain-free?'"

"I became truly frightened after the defeat in Flushing Meadows [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I could not to walk for 48 hours. That's when you start reconsidering the path ahead."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training completely pain-free.

His next appearance with the Greek team in the United Cup, where they face Team Japan led by Osaka and the British team captained by Raducanu. The tournament takes place across Australian cities 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 provides fantastic feedback to know you had 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 total belief that I can return to where I was. I will attempt everything to achieve that."