Talk about turning setbacks into opportunities! German tennis star Eva Lys was all set to head home last week after falling short in the third qualifying round of the Australian Open. But destiny had a plot twist waiting for her. When Anna Kalinskaya withdrew, Lys snagged a main-draw entry as a “Lucky Loser”—and boy, did she make the most of it! Not only did she prove her worth, but she also etched her name in history, becoming the first women’s singles Lucky Loser to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open in the Open Era.

The German rising star played some grueling matches last week, and now, she is all set to face former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round of the tournament. But besides her mighty opponent, there is yet another challenge that Lys will have to overcome on Monday, and it’s related to her health. So, what is the health woe that the star player is facing and how is she dealing with it? Well, Lys has been completely open about it.  

Lys often turned heads for withdrawing from tournaments and taking long breaks from the sport. But in March last year, she decided to break the silence. Through an X post, the 23-year-old revealed that she has been suffering from rheumatic autoimmune disease, a type of arthritis that attacks the spine and, in some cases, also the joints of the arms and legs. And what’s more saddening is the fact that her challenges had been long persisting. 

The German star was diagnosed with the disease in 2020, and since then, she has struggled a lot. “In 2020, shortly after winning my first ITF 25K title, I was diagnosed with a rheumatic autoimmune disease (spondylarthritis). This has been a physical challenge that I face every day alongside the demands of my sport,” she wrote in her social media post last year. However, the Ukrainian-born star, who represented Germany since her childhood, got some miraculous medical support that helped her return to the courts. And like a true fighter, she has accepted the disease as part of her life and is no longer bothered by its presence. 

Sure, Lys has continued to face the challenges caused by the disease, but she has depicted immense resilience. When quizzed about her challenges in an interview after her third-round win at the ongoing Australian Open, Lys said, “I mean at the end of the day this is always just a part of my life. I always have to watch out, I have to take care of my body, I have to eat well, I have to recover well for the body just to stay in shape and obviously this is the best practice for me.” Continuing further, she expressed her reluctance to call it an issue and termed it a part of her life.

“I wouldn’t call it an issue but it’s just part of me that’s going to follow me for the next year as well. But right now I do have it under control I mean you can tell physically. I had two amazing matches and in the third set I was there, in third set I was even playing my best tennis so I’m definitely very happy how we managed to get my body to a definitely more stable environment,” she added. These statements not only reflect her determination but also her resilience and maturity. And guess what? Lys has not failed to clap back at her naysayers either, who once questioned about her future on the courts. 

When Eva Lys clapped back at naysayers for questioning her tennis career

Eva Lys’ long absence from the courts during her challenges with her disease made many think that it was all over for the youngster. Not only did she come back on the courts, but she also came close to breaking into the Top 100 by reaching the 105th spot in September last year, despite playing only 16 matches. This proved her zeal and it is probably this confidence that helped Lys in shutting her critics. 

In the same post she shared last year, she wrote, “there are times when I am forced to make last-minute changes and adjustments to my tournament schedule.” Continuing further, she revealed the statements she witnessed during her battle. “Throughout my athletic career, I have often been told from the outside that I am too weak.” However, she sharply continued that these comments only made her better herself. 

“But the more I heard it, the stronger it made me. Ultimately, no one knows what goes on behind the scenes for athletes,” the star player shared. Now, as she gears up to face the Polish sensation, it will be interesting to see if she can pull out an upset. As her dream run continues, one thing’s clear: she’s no ordinary underdog. She’s showing grit, determination, and a whole lot of fight.