From Lucky Loser to German No. 1: Eva Lys chats with Muguruza – “I’m an expert at putting yourself in a good mood
WTA
The up-and-coming 23-year-old Eva Lys spoke with Garbine Muguruza in a special interview after becoming the German No. 1. Lys caught attention at the Australian Open after entering the main draw as a lucky loser and surprisingly reaching the 4th round of the tournament.
In a remarkable start to the year, Lys gained entry to the draw after a last-minute withdrawal by Anna Kalinskaya. The German seized her opportunity, defeating Kimberly Birrell (No. 101), Varvara Gracheva (No. 69), and Jaqueline Cristian (No. 82) on her way to the Round of 16. She eventually lost to Iga Swiatek 1-6, 0-6, in her only Grand Slam main draw appearance so far.
Lys was in the VIP Tennis Lounge alongside former No. 1 Garbine Muguruza, taking advantage of her time in Madrid to grant an interview with the retired Spanish tennis player. One of the topics she touched on was her social media presence, where she has thousands of fans who closely follow the behind-the-scenes of the young German.
"This is very important. Because I have to turn off my mind as soon as I leave the tennis court. I love being creative. I love seeing the tennis court from a different perspective. I want to show tennis fans what tennis can look like: maybe with some insights or what a day of practice looks like." The two-time Grand Slam winner enthusiastically agreed: "We need this!"
Eva Lys reached fourth round at the 2025 Australian Open.
Following her good weeks at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, the German has achieved main draw wins at the WTA 1000 events in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (against Irina-Camelia Begu) and the Madrid Open a week ago against Serbian Teodora Kostovic.
“I'll be honest. I've had a few not-so-good matches in the past few weeks. That's why I feel like I'm an expert at putting yourself in a good mood now," said Lys. "Even if I've had the worst tournament or the worst match in my opinion, I try to talk to my parents. Then they ask me which five things weren't so bad.”
“That's a bit difficult at first. At the end of the day, I'm left with things like, 'At least I had nice fingernails!' It sounds funny, but I think that's an important part of being in a good mood. Because that doesn't just happen," Lys explained.
The 23-year-old is the main contender to lead the German women on the WTA Tour after a decade with Angelique Kerber at the helm, the former world No. 1 who recently retired in 2024. Behind Lys, the next highest-ranked players from her country are currently Tatjana Maria (37 y/o, No. 82) and Laura Siegemund (37 y/o, No. 101). Her next challenge will be this week at the Rome Open.
@eva_lys pre- Indian Wells practice days 🌵🏜️ love the desert 🐪 #tennis #Indianwells #California ♬ Red Bellied Black Snake - The Beefs
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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