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The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to severe back issues throughout the season.

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

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player after a limited schedule since his early exit at the US Open in August, he stated continuous medical care is finally showing encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my body responds during actual training concerning my injury," said Tsitsipas.

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

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

"I became truly frightened following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question your career's future."

Tsitsipas further mentioned being content with his current recovery plan after finishing five weeks of off-season preparation without any pain.

He is scheduled to compete for Greece in the United Cup, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney in early January, the week preceding the Australian Open.

"My main goal 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 hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.

"I have done the work. The most important thing is complete faith that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to achieve that."