"You can practise as much as you want, but if your body says no, it doesn’t matter": Eva Lys describes navigating rapid rise with debilitating physical condition
WTASaturday, 11 April 2026 at 16:30
Eva Lys’ rise on the WTA Tour may look like a sudden breakthrough from the outside, but as she explains, it has been years in the making, shaped by challenges, resilience, and a constant effort to enjoy the process.
Speaking with Genie Bouchard for Made of Moments, Lys opened up about the key milestones in her journey, from her emotional WTA debut to her stunning run at the 2025 Australian Open, and the daily work required to sustain a career at the top level.
Her first WTA Tour singles match in Linz in 2021 remains one of the most defining moments of her early career. While it was a significant step forward, it was also a physically and emotionally overwhelming experience.
“I remember cramping in the third set, and that was a big reason why I couldn’t finish the match the way I wanted to,” Lys said. “But it makes me very emotional because you know how long it takes to get to that level. It’s not like you just practise and then, boom, you’re there. It’s all those 15Ks and 25Ks, the good and bad moments.”
That match also marked her first encounter with a top-20 opponent, and the nerves of the occasion played a major role. “I was very, very nervous, and that was actually the first time I had cramps,” she admitted.
Handling those nerves became a crucial part of her development. Lys recognised that pressure doesn’t begin on match day, but builds long before stepping on court.
“The thoughts and the nerves don’t start on court, they start the day before or even the week before,” she explained. “The better I deal with it, and the more tools I have, the better I play.”
By 2023, she began to see the results of that growth, reaching her first WTA semi-final in Cluj-Napoca. A key shift came in how she viewed the crowd, even in difficult moments.
“I take a lot of energy from the crowd, whether it’s for me or against me,” she said. “Even if I lose a point and the stadium goes crazy, I try to picture that they’re just trying to uplift me.”
That mindset proved invaluable during her breakthrough at the 2025 Australian Open, where she became the first lucky loser to reach the fourth round. The opportunity came unexpectedly, late in the first round when she had almost given up hope of entering the main draw.
“It was the last day of the first round, and my hopes were kind of gone,” she recalled. “Then out of nowhere they called my name. I was so excited and shocked, I just went out on adrenaline and had no time to think.”
That lack of overthinking turned into an advantage. “If I don’t think and just go out and play, I enjoy it,” she said. “I had to trust what I had in that moment and just play free.”
The tournament became a turning point, not just in results but in mindset. “It was the first time I really stayed in the moment and didn’t think about the future. Everything just worked out how you imagine.”
Navigating significant physical challenges
Next playing Stuttgart for Lys but behind the scenes, however, Lys has also been managing a significant physical challenge. Diagnosed with spondyloarthritis in 2020, she has had to adapt every aspect of her preparation and recovery.
“The first years were really tough, finding the right medication and learning what makes my body feel good or bad,” she said. “It’s something I live with every day.”
Her approach is rooted in discipline and awareness. “My warm-up has to be longer, recovery is always the priority, physio, ice baths, everything,” she explained. “You can practise as much as you want, but if your body says no, it doesn’t matter.”
Equally important is managing stress. “The more stress I have in my life, the worse I feel, so I try to stay zen,” she added.
Despite her rapid rise, Lys is quick to reject the idea of overnight success. Her journey began at the age of five, and has involved years of sacrifice.
“I’ve missed so many birthdays, I’ve barely gone on vacation, I’ve spent my life working for this dream,” she said. “To finally get closer to it is an insane reward, but it’s been years in the making.”
At the core of her philosophy is a simple but powerful principle, enjoying what she does.
“I work every day to enjoy the process, to be more positive and see the good in everything,” she said. “It might sound cheesy, but if I’m enjoying something, I know that I’m 100% better.”
Looking ahead, her priorities remain clear.“Physical health and mental health, 100%,” Lys said. “Just being happy with what I’m doing, and being thankful for the moments when I feel great.”
For a player who has already navigated adversity and breakthrough moments, that balance may prove to be her greatest strength yet.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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