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Stefanos Tsitsipas has revealed he thought about quitting the sport due to severe spinal pain during the season.

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

Now ranked 36th in the world after a limited schedule since his second-round departure in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation lies in seeing how my training holds up under regular practice with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear was whether I could complete a match," he added, noting the injury plagued him "for the past six to eight months."

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

"I became truly frightened after the defeat at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to move for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with the present treatment regimen following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the season's first major.

"My main goal next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he stated.

"It is incredibly encouraging realizing you completed a pre-season without pain – I wish for it to last. I aim to perform during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief in my ability to get back to my previous level. I will attempt everything to make it happen."