Australia Open: Round of 16! Eva Lys suffers from an incurable illness sport

“For me it was the best week I’ve had in my career so far.”

Tennis player Eva Lys (23) says what is happening these days Australian Open you can see so beautiful in Melbourne. The Hamburger has made history and is the first player who was eliminated in qualifying and moved into the main draw as a lucky loser to reach the round of 16 Down Under.

“It’s definitely a crazy story, even for me, how it happened, how quickly it happened. “Those days totally changed my life,” says Lys after the 4:6, 6:3, 6:3 against Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (26).

The flight home, which was planned for Wednesday, now has to be postponed for the second time because she can’t go on Sunday either. Coming to Australia at number 128, she leaves Melbourne as a top 100 player. She will be ranked 91st on January 27th.

Lys: “The closer I got to the top 100, the closer I got to these big tournaments, the more problems I had.” The more I think, the worse I play. I got that under control well.”

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On Monday it will be against the Polish Iga Swiatek (23), number 2 in the world. Probably in one of the big squares. Lys is not afraid. “You always have a chance when you go out.” I’ll enjoy it. I don’t think I’m an easy player for Iga in the fourth round either. I have a lot of self-confidence.”

Very important: Her incurable autoimmune rheumatic disease (spondyloarthritis) does not seem to be causing her any problems at the moment. “At the end of the day, she’s just a part of my life. I always have to be careful. I have to take care of my body. I have to eat well. I have to rest well so that he stays in shape. “But this will continue to haunt me in the next few years,” she says.

That’s exactly why Lys and her family traveled to Australia almost two months ago. “That was actually the idea behind it. The warmer temperatures are much, much better for my body. I always have a lot of trouble in the Hamburg winter because my immune system is shut down and I keep getting sick.”

The tournament planning will be adjusted accordingly. “As soon as I play in warmer countries or cities, we generally try to come a few days earlier because I know that warmth is really, really good for my body.” And we will try to do that in the future too.” Completely But she doesn’t want to move away from Hamburg yet.

Great effect of the soaring in addition to the 252,000 euros in prize money: the top 100. “I couldn’t even think that far. “I’ll only realize that later,” says Lys. “The tournament schedule will definitely change.” I can now play tournaments with higher prizes.”

Some of the family will also be there. Father Vladimir (48) is the coach anyway, but mother Maria and the sisters are also on the team from time to time. “I’m super happy to have my little sister here with me and my mom.” It just gives me a little feeling of home.”

And it’s also a great way to celebrate with the family. Because Lys has reason to do so, regardless of the outcome of the party against Swiatek on Monday.