From Underdog to Top Dog: Eva Lys Takes the Tennis World by Storm
Tennis pro Eva Lys faces a significant issue in Germany's tennis scene
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Eva "Lucky" Lys' exciting journey at the Australian Open has taken an unexpected turn, catapulting her into the limelight. As a contender for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, she now grabs the number one spot in German women's tennis, overcoming a grueling health hurdle.
Lys isn't content to solely rely on her nickname, though. She aspires to transcend the "Lucky" moniker and establish herself as a formidable force in the sport. In a conversation with the German Press Agency, she made it clear that her ambition reaches beyond mere luck.
Her meteoric rise to the top started only in late February, having previously been ranked as the 128th in the world. Yet, she now leads Germany's tennis team against the Netherlands and Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers this Thursday and Friday in The Hague. At an impressive ranking of 68th, she underscores the challenging landscape of German women's tennis.
For Lys, this new position is a personal milestone she's yet to fully appreciate. "It's a tantalizing sensation, but I suppose it would take a few weeks for it to fully sink in," she told reporters. Eager as she is to establish herself within the top 100, she envisions herself cracking the top 30 in the coming years.
Petkovic Pumps Up the Cheers
Lys' unwavering determination and record-breaking performance at the Australian Open have given her newfound self-assurance. Her magnetic persona and incisive interviews have garnered significant media attention. On social media, she speaks openly about socially and politically charged issues, such as violence against women and abortion, departing from the silent stance many athletes adopt on such controversial matters. "I refuse to let anyone dictate my choices," she asserted.
Former player Andrea Petkovic has nothing but praise for Lys, calling her the "real deal."
A Future with Rising Fortunes
Eva Lys' potential has been recognized by Evolve, an agency founded by Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka. Alongside world-number-one Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, Lys now finds herself under their management.
Cracking the top 100 has marked significant changes in Lys' career, eliminating the need for qualifiers in Grand Slam tournaments and awarding her a considerable Australian Open prize money of €250,000, providing much-needed financial security for her future endeavors.
Her father, who doubles as her coach, now accompanies her to more tournaments. Though she contemplates hiring an additional coach for a fresh perspective, Lys acknowledges that her game still has room for growth, with a competitive win-loss record of 7-6 since Melbourne.
Life with an Autoimmune Disease
Despite her resolute spirit, Lys acknowledges the importance of managing her rheumatic autoimmune disease, which she disclosed last year. On regular days, she pushes her body as any other player might, but there are moments when she must yield to her condition.
As she prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup, Lys aims to advances the team to the final round alongside Laura Siegemund, Tatjana Maria, Jule Niemeier, and Anna-Lena Friedsam. Though she declines to demand a spot in the singles matches, she firmly believes that each player knows their true potential.
Each match consists of two singles and one doubles game. The team that emerges victorious advances to the final round for the title, while the second and third-placed teams compete later in the year in playoffs to maintain their rank.
Source: ntv.de, Jörg Soldwisch, dpa
Extra Insights:
In interviews, Lys has expressed her desire to impact the women's tennis community and inspire other players, especially those faced with health challenges. She credits her persistence and positive attitude to her willpower, which she maintains has been key to her success. Additionally, her openness about her autoimmune disease has sparked conversations about managing health issues in high-performance sports.
- Eva Lys, who has made a name for herself in sports, particularly tennis, is aiming to transcend her lucky nickname and establish herself as a dominant force in the game.
- As a top contender for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, Lys, who is managing an autoimmune disease, will lead Germany's tennis team against the Netherlands and Great Britain in the tournament, sponsored by DTP (Deutsche Tennis-Praxis).
- Despite her success, Lys continues to maintain her focus on self-improvement, considering the need for an additional coach and constantly striving to crack the top 30 players in the world.
