Finally coming home again! Eva Lys will serve in front of her home crowd at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open (13 to 20 July 2025) at the Rothenbaum tennis stadium. The 23-year-old from Hamburg sensationally reached the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year and is the German high-flyer in 2025. Starting today, Wednesday, she is now preparing for the third Grand Slam tournament of the year in Wimbledon - and then Hamburg awaits! Before her home match, Eva Lys talks in an in-depth interview about what she has achieved, what she has worked for, what she dreams of and a real "family business".
Eva Lys, let's take a quick look back: 2025 is only halfway over, but is already the most successful year of your career - how do you look back on what happened in Australia in particular, when you reached your first round of 16 at a Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne as the "lucky loser"?
"The Australian Open changed the entire course of my career. Since then, everything has changed, I can play other tournaments and play against the people I've always looked up to. It took me a few months to get used to this new reality. My biggest goal was always to be in the main draw of the Grand Slams. That's where I am now. Of course, my standing has changed to a certain extent. One or two good training partners have also joined me."
You were nicknamed "Lucky Lys" at the Australian Open. Do you still like it?
"Of course I would like to get rid of this nickname at some point. But I associate it with very good memories, so I'm the last person to complain about it. My run to the round of 16 in Australia certainly had a lot to do with luck, but above all with hard work. I've earned it. I've been working towards this for 15 years."
When you look at your sporting development this year: In which areas have you developed further, and where do you see the greatest potential?
"Of course, there's still a lot to improve, but now I'm also proud of what I've achieved over the past few months. I still need to get more match practice at this level. Playing consistently against the top 20 players in the world, I sometimes had too much respect for my opponents. I still thought in my head that I was the player from last year, even though the ranking is suddenly different."
Thanks to your upswing, you are now also a leading player for Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup. How do you deal with this responsibility?
"This is a positive responsibility. I feel very comfortable in this position. As Billie Jean King said: pressure is a privilege. I never liked the saying, but I'm now confronted with dealing with the pressure."
Wimbledon is just around the corner. How comfortable do you feel on grass now and what are your expectations for the tournament in London?
"I visited the facility for the first time last year. And this course surpasses your expectations. It has a flair like no other tournament. A tradition that goes on and on. Grass is a very difficult surface. But I know that I can feel comfortable on grass. I'll try to go into it with few expectations."
After Wimbledon, you will come straight to your home tournament at the Rothenbaum in July. What does it mean to you as a Hamburg native to be able to serve in Hamburg?
"Home tournaments do something to you. I believe that the spectators in my home town will be on my side. And here my friends have the opportunity to see me play live. It's one of the best tournaments of the year for me. I've always followed the tournaments here, I love the atmosphere and the spectators. You can also tell that there's a real tennis boom in general."
Your father also acts as your coach. To what extent are you thinking of expanding your team and professionalising it even more?
"I'm also planning the next few years with my father as coach. But we are very open to new ideas. It's important to get out of your comfort zone. You can see my game from many perspectives. But we also pay attention to who we let into our inner circle."
This is the family man Eva Lys!
"Exactly. I'm a very big family man. If my family didn't help me every day, I wouldn't be sitting here. This is a family business. My siblings are my best friends."
What are your plans for the second half of the year and what goals have you set yourself?
"The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open is already taking place in the second half of the year. Of course, it's a goal to win in Hamburg. Besides, I've never done as much as I have this year. And I've worked more physically than ever before, I've become faster, stronger and more stable. I've reached a new level of fitness. You can see that in my face. I have to give myself a pat on the back, I'm proud of that."
Young players now look up to you. What values do you want to exemplify - on and off the court?
"I want to use my platform and think it's good to talk about topics that others don't dare to. I'm friends with Coco Gauff, who won the French Open this year. She also positions herself on issues that are important to her. I generally think it's great when women go out and stand up for their cause. It's still important for me to stay loud. Even in the face of resistance: stay strong and speak up."
In conclusion: Which headline would you like to read about yourself?
"Eva Lys inspires young people to play tennis!"
Thank you very much for the interview!