"If you come onto my page and leave targeted hate, I’ll block and block again": Eva Lys on ignoring haters, dating on tour and escaping tour life

Eva Lys has quickly become one of the most refreshing personalities on the WTA Tour — and she has no intention of changing that.

In a candid sit-down with fellow pro Ajla Tomljanović for Tennis Channel, the 23-year-old reflected on her breakthrough season, viral fame, online criticism and why authenticity matters more to her than fitting a traditional mould of a professional athlete.

Lys’ rise gathered momentum last season when she surged from lucky loser to the fourth round of the Australian Open — a run that also produced one of the year’s most shared clips. In the now-viral moment, Lys appeared stunned to learn she had earned $420,000 in prize money. “As if no one’s brought that up!” she laughed. “I’d never gone that far in a tournament. It was insane.”

The reaction resonated because of its sincerity — something Lys believes reflects her broader outlook. “I think the clip performed so well because it was the most honest reaction you could get.”

Money, she admitted, had long been a source of anxiety. "Money was always a big worry for me because I knew, if I don’t make it, I won’t be able to keep playing. I don’t come from a rich family.”

Although her recent results have eased that pressure, she still avoids focusing too closely on prize money. “I’m still not 100 per cent financially stable, so I try not to think about it too much.”

Like many young players, Lys arrived on tour with certain expectations. “The first time you play WTAs, everything feels so big and perfect and beautiful,” she said. “But the longer I spend in the tennis bubble, the more insane I get.”

While the sport carries a glamorous image, she was quick to point out the less visible side. “We have amazing tournaments — those are some of the nicest moments of the year. But we also have not-so-nice tournaments in different countries, not in big cities, very far away from home.”

Adjusting to that lifestyle and to being inside the “bubble” rather than looking in has been part of her growth. “At first you look up to everyone. That perception changes when you become part of it.”

Still, she emphasised that friendships on tour have been crucial. “I’ve become friends with a lot of people, which gets me through tennis life. It’s like any job — you have nice people and people you don’t get along with.”

If Lys has carved out a distinctive identity, it is through her social media presence. Stylish, candid and often playful, her posts stand out in a sport that can lean toward polish and predictability.

That approach was not universally encouraged early on.

“Everyone hated that I wasn’t just being professional on Instagram,” she revealed. “They’d say, ‘If you want sponsors, you can’t post that.’”

Lys resisted. “I want to post what I’d post if I had 20 followers. I don’t care how many people are watching me. I just want to be myself.”

She believes fans benefit from seeing more than just on-court performances. "You know what they do on court. But what do they do outside? What hobbies do they have? Tennis players aren’t just tennis players.”

With increased visibility has come increased scrutiny. After a recent first-round defeat, Lys said she was struck by the volume of negative comments, many suggesting she prioritises social media over training.

“They’re telling me I should spend less time on Instagram, do fewer photo shoots and focus more on practice.”

Her response is straightforward. “I block. Religiously. If you come onto my page and leave targeted hate, I’ll block and block again. It’s my feel-good space.”

She rejects the idea that professional athletes are immune to online criticism. “Everyone who says they don’t read comments is lying. It definitely does something to you.”

Off the court, Lys is notably protective of her private life. She confirmed that a three-year relationship ended last year but stressed her preference for discretion. "As soon as you get into the public eye, people have way too many opinions — especially about dating.”

She is cautious about meeting people through direct messages and avoids going on dates with strangers. “I’ve never gone on a date with someone I’ve never heard of before. I’m very careful.”

The same thoughtfulness extends to dating within tennis. “I wouldn’t recommend it,” she said. “If it doesn’t work out, every single tournament you’ll have to live with it.”

Lys repeatedly returned to one principle: consequences. “Whatever I do in life, I think about the consequences. If I’m OK with them, I’ll do it.”

Away from competition, fashion provides an outlet. Now partnered with Lacoste, she described the collaboration as a natural evolution. “At first I wasn’t sure if it was the aesthetic I was looking for, but we talked about our visions and it works.”

She also named Yves Saint Laurent as a dream future collaboration, citing the brand’s recent collections as inspiration.

Fashion, she explained, offers balance. “Otherwise, I would go crazy if I just thought about tennis too much.”

Perhaps the clearest statement of Lys’ mindset came when discussing the worst advice she has received. “People have told me I should be meaner on court that I’m too nice.”

She has no interest in altering her personality to fit perceived competitive norms. “The way people see me on and off court is as real as it gets. I can’t be someone I’m not.”

For Lys, authenticity is non-negotiable. “I don’t want people to change me. It doesn’t matter how good I get at what I’m doing.”