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The tennis professional disclosed he pondered ending his career because of debilitating spinal pain throughout the season.

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

Currently placed as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition since his early exit in New York this past summer, he stated that ongoing treatment has begun yielding encouraging progress.

"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training holds up under actual training with regard to my injury," commented Tsitsipas.

"The biggest fear centered on if I was able to finish an encounter," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "over the last half a year or more."

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

"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for two days. That is the moment begin to question the path ahead."

He also reported being content with his current recovery plan following the completion of five weeks of pre-season training without any pain.

His next appearance for Greece at the team event, drawn against Team Japan led by Osaka and the Great Britain squad captained by Raducanu. The tournament will be held across Australian cities in early January, just before the Australian Open.

"The greatest victory next season is to stop worrying over completing bouts," he expressed.

"It provides fantastic feedback to know you had an off-season in good health – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the team championship.

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