"I thought I’d have more money, fewer worries. But it was the total opposite": Eva Lys candid on ranking rise pressure ruining love of tennis

Eva Lys recently broke into the WTA Top 40 after initially setting a goal of top 100, a milestone that many young players dream of but few achieve. For Lys, however, reaching this landmark didn’t bring the relief she expected—it brought pressure, doubt, and a new understanding of what it means to be a professional athlete.

“This year is my first year in the Top 100,” Lys reflected to Tennis Insider Club. “I thought life would get easier. I thought I’d have more money, fewer worries. But it was the total opposite. I had so much pressure, I practised twice as hard, and right before Wimbledon, I realised I wasn’t having fun anymore—and I’ve had fun my whole life.”

Eva’s journey through the professional ranks has been defined not just by results, but by the support of her family. “I travel with my family. They are the reason I’m in the Top 100. They were telling me, ‘Eva, chill. Even if you lose ranking, even if you lose every single round, you have the level. You’re going to get there eventually. Just breathe.’ At least I have people next to me saying that, because it’s really intense.”

The pressures of professional tennis often extend beyond the court, particularly for female athletes. Eva observes that mental health is often overlooked, even among top players. “Some players, even if they’re not happy or feeling well, still perform because of routine or experience. But for me, if I’m not good in here”—she points to her head—“I play poorly. Tennis, just like in life, health is everything.”

From an early age, Lys was taught to tie success on the court to her worth off it. “If I didn’t have good results, I didn’t deserve a good time off court,” she explains. She recalls junior tournaments where enjoying a day off could trigger criticism. “My mom would say, ‘Don’t post anything on Instagram. Everyone in Germany will criticise you.’ It’s ridiculous. Just because you’re not performing on court doesn’t mean you can’t have fun off court.”

Lys credits her parents, especially her father who is also her coach, with helping her navigate these challenges. “He’s had to learn a lot with me because I’m very sensitive and emotional. If he pushed me in the traditional way, I would probably have quit. He adapted his coaching to my personality and physical needs—like managing my arthritis—and that’s why I’m able to stay sane and keep improving.”

Even as a child, Lys balanced tennis with school, completing her education in Germany in 2020. Her days were rigorous: waking at 6 a.m., commuting to school, practising before and after classes, and attending sports school three times a week. “It was normal school life, but a bit isolated since 11—just tennis, tennis, tennis. You’re surrounded by adults, and your world is tennis. That’s why I value my friends outside tennis—they keep me grounded.”

Developing an identity outside tennis has been essential for her mental health. “I realised I was identifying myself so much with results. I wanted to be Eva Lys beyond tennis. After my biggest results, people start giving advice about what I should do, how I should play. I started listening and my expectations grew. I wasn’t enjoying it anymore.”

She has been fairly open about the abuse she suffers and also having grown not only in rankings but also in terms of her fanbase on social media the issue that she has encountered with stalkers who have found her hotel rooms and where she stays. A problem that most WTA players supposedly deal with including in the news this year the likes of Karolina Muchova and Emma Raducanu - the former even somebody she used to date.

For Lys, the key to success isn’t just talent or training—it’s balance. “I play my best when I don’t care about results, when I appreciate the process and do what I can. If I’m out early in a tournament, I can go to the beach—it’s win-win. There’s a stigma for female athletes: you have to sacrifice everything, be tough, and not have fun. That’s bullshit. Everyone is different. You can work hard, be disciplined, and still enjoy life.”

Eva’s message is clear: mental health, perspective, and support systems matter as much as physical training. “Even the best coaches—Darren Cahill, Ivan Ljubicic, Brad Gilbert, Patrick Mouratoglou, Wim Fissette—say if you don’t enjoy life outside the court, you can’t succeed. You can’t make everything about tennis.”

As she continues to climb the rankings and chase her goals, Eva Lys remains grounded in this philosophy: to play her best, she must first live her best. Success on the court is important, but so is being happy, healthy, and whole off it.