“Before judging a professional athlete...": Gabriela Ruse had one thing to say after Eva Lys came under fire

Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 02:00

Elena-Gabriela Ruse has defended Eva Lys after the German faced criticism on social media following their meeting at the Korea Open. Ruse defeated her friend 6-1, 6-2 in Seoul, but the Romanian's attention quickly moved away from the result and towards the reaction Lys received online.

Lys has endured a difficult 2026 season, with physical problems affecting both her preparation and consistency on court. The German has previously spoken about the challenges she has faced throughout the year, while her ranking has also come under pressure after a series of difficult results.

The defeat against Ruse was another setback for Lys as she attempts to remain inside the world's top 100. However, Ruse's response showed that the result itself was not the main issue for her. Instead, she was concerned by the tone of some of the comments directed towards her friend following the match.

Ruse and Lys have developed a close friendship on tour, making the Romanian particularly unhappy with what she saw online. After the match, she decided to address the criticism directly, reminding fans that a professional tennis career involves considerably more than what can be seen during a match or in a result on a scoreboard.

Ruse defends Lys after online criticism

Ruse said she was disappointed to see negative comments about Lys and explained that she felt compelled to respond because of how personally she took the criticism directed towards one of her closest friends on tour.

“I felt so disappointed seeing so many negative comments on my post about one of my best friends on tour, and I had to write this because, honestly, it hurt me," Ruse wrote on social media. "Before judging a professional athlete from behind a screen, remember that you are looking at the result of years and years of sacrifice, discipline, injuries, pressure, losses, loneliness, and countless hours of work that nobody sees."

Ruse also rejected the idea that reaching the professional level happens simply because of good fortune. “Becoming a professional player does not happen by chance. It requires an incredible amount of talent, even more dedication, and the courage to keep going even when things don't go the way you want.”

"Eva has earned her place on the court. She deserves respect, regardless of the result of a match," the Romanian added. "You don't have to like any player or any result. But you can choose to be respectful."

This is great from Ruse. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ikf2NezIGf
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 23, 2026

Lys has spoken about her difficult 2026

Lys' struggles this season have not been limited to her results. The German has previously explained that physical problems have made 2026 particularly difficult, while also making it harder for her to plan ahead because of the uncertainty surrounding her condition.

"2026 was the most difficult year," the German said to Tenis Brasil. "I gave it everything I had, but my body asked me to slow down."

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Lys has nevertheless continued competing and trying to recover her level. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 39 earlier in her career, but has since fallen down the rankings and is now facing pressure to remain inside the top 100.

That background was central to Ruse's wider argument. The Romanian pointed out that professional players regularly have to deal with circumstances that are invisible to supporters watching from outside.

"You have no idea how many times a professional athlete has had to get back up after a defeat, play through pain, leave family and friends behind, or fight battles that nobody watching from the outside will ever know about."

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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