“That was me a few years ago”: Eva Lys remembers her qualifying struggles before main-draw breakthrough

World No. 39 Eva Lys reflected on her growth as a player over the past year as she prepares for her debut at the 2026 Australian Open. The 24-year-old German has earned direct entry into the main draw for the first time, avoiding the qualifying rounds and arriving in Melbourne with renewed confidence following an impressive 2025 season.

Just a year ago, Lys was ranked No. 129 and had to battle through qualifying. She reached the third round of qualifying before falling to Destanee Aiava, but late withdrawals allowed her to enter the tournament as a lucky loser. From there, her career trajectory changed dramatically.

Lys went on to claim three consecutive main-draw victories, reaching the fourth round, where her run was eventually halted by Iga Swiatek. It marked her first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 at a Grand Slam, triggering a significant rise in the rankings. She continued to build momentum throughout the season, finishing the year inside the Top 40 and reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 China Open. That run included her first Top 10 victory, achieved in Beijing against Elena Rybakina, further confirming her ability to compete with the elite.

“I’m always very excited to be coming back to Australia,” Lys said during her first press conference at Melbourne Park. “I feel like that’s one of my favourite tournaments. It could be related to last year’s run, but I love the people, the courts, and the weather. I feel great here, so I’m excited for a good start.”

Lys has transformed her status on tour in just one year and begins the 2026 season with far greater calm, helped by her ranking and the absence of qualifying pressure. She opened the year representing Germany as No. 1 at the United Cup, where she recorded a win over Suzan Lamens and pushed six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in a competitive three-set battle—despite the defeat, a result that stood out as a positive signal.

“If you think about my last results, they were pretty easy for her, but I was always improving,” Lys explained. “That’s what really kept me going, so I was very happy to at least get a set off of her. We were both playing pretty well. She was just better in the most important moments, which I still think about.”

Lys also acknowledged how meaningful it feels to be preparing directly for the main draw rather than fighting through qualifying. “It feels nice to be in the main draw for the first time,” she added. “I was watching some qualifying matches and rooting for the players because I know what it’s like—the nerves, the emotions. Especially on the last day of qualies, I get very emotional because that was me a few years ago. I’m definitely cherishing this moment.”

Looking ahead to the season’s first major—where she will face Sorana Cîrstea in the opening round—Lys revealed that she prefers not to look too far ahead in the draw. Instead, she focuses solely on her next opponent. “One at a time. I know there are players who don’t want to know anything at all, and I didn’t look at the draw,” she admitted. “I’m scared to check it. I just ask my mom or my team who I’m playing, or look at the schedule. I know my opponent, and I keep it at that for now.”

Beyond tactics, Lys emphasised that her biggest improvement over the past year has been mental. That growth, she believes, now allows her to face even the tour’s top players with confidence. “Definitely, mentality is very important,” she said. “It took me a couple of months to really get used to the tour and the tough opponents.

I had a lot of difficult matches that I didn’t win, but getting closer and starting to beat top players gives me the confidence I need,” the 24-year-old player added. “Now I go on court knowing I have the level to belong there. A year ago, I was missing that calmness and confidence. It’s a really nice feeling.”