Tsitsipas Optimistic for 2026 After Back Injury Recovery

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former world number three, enters the 2026 tennis season with renewed optimism after a debilitating back injury sidelined much of his 2025 campaign, as he prepares to lead Greece at the United Cup in Perth and Sydney from January 2 to 11.

The 27-year-old Greek star, now ranked 36th, endured chronic back pain that forced him to play only two singles matches for Greece in the Davis Cup in September, following a second-round defeat at the U.S. Open in August. He retired in the first round at Wimbledon and failed to advance beyond the second round at any Grand Slam last year, managing just two wins across the majors. Tsitsipas began 2025 ranked 11th but saw his standing plummet due to the injury, which left him unable to walk for two days after his U.S. Open loss to Daniel Altmaier.

The pain prompted Tsitsipas to question his future in the sport. "I got really scared after my U.S. Open loss with my back, because I just couldn't walk for two days," he said during a pre-tournament news conference in Perth. "When things like that happen, you start reconsidering the future of your career." He admitted to contemplating retirement during phases of intense...