Remember when Eva Lys said, she “basically grew up on court?” Her statement highlighted that tennis wasn’t just a mere sport in her household but pretty much a way of life. From early childhood, Lys was surrounded by people teaching her discipline, ambition, and a deep-rooted love for the sport. But who are they? And how did they influence the rising WTA star in shaping her career so brilliantly?

Lys has made a statement at the ongoing Australian Open, securing a spot in the fourth round, where she now faces former WTA number one Iga Swiatek. The Ukraine-born German player proved her potential with three singles titles on the ITF circuit. Lys qualified for the 2020 Australian Open as a junior but got evicted in the first round. Her career-high ranking of 123 in singles came in November 2022, marking her steady progress in the sport.

Lys’ WTA singles debut was at the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she lost to the Polish star Swiatek in the second round. As she prepares for a rematch against her old rival in Melbourne, attention shifts to the family that shaped her journey.

Tennis runs deep in the Lys family. Her father, Vladimir Lys, was a professional tennis player and represented Ukraine in the Davis Cup. He is now a coach in Hamburg. Her mother, Maria Lys, is a lawyer. Lys has two sisters, Lisa Matviyenko (24) and Isabella Lys (7). Lisa, like her younger sister Eva, pursued professional tennis, competing in the ITF circuit and reaching a career-high ranking of 420 in 2018. Even the youngest, Isabella, sometimes joins her sisters on the court, making tennis more than just a sport – it’s almost a tradition for the Lys family.

Lys moved to Germany in 2003 at the age of two, adjusting to a new culture and language. Recalling how her father instilled her passion for tennis, Lys said, “In the second half of the day, he was working, so he took us along, and we basically grew up on court. Pretty soon, both of us realized that we do not suck at this sport.”

While her father introduced her to the sport, Lys’ elder sister Lisa inspired her to play it professionally. Watching her elder sister compete, Eva learned invaluable lessons, not just about tennis, but also resilience. “She was actually the one who told me, ‘Eva, you’re going to lose every week. You have to learn how to lose, or else it’s going to be pretty tough for you. It’s more important to learn how to deal with your losses than to celebrate and be excited about your wins.’ That really stuck with me,” Lys reflected.

Lys learned from her sibling’s experiences about the highs and the lows of the sport. However, while Lisa showed great promise, she eventually shifted her focus to law studies, leaving Eva to carry the baton.

Lys also found inspiration from another family member, her uncle, Ivan Berezenko, the head of a trauma clinic in Kyiv. When the Russian invasion began, she deeply admired her uncle’s dedication to his country and his courage. His resilience became a source of motivation for Lys. But if not for tennis, what path would Lys have chosen? The answer might leave you surprised!

Eva Lys was interested in “medicine” apart from tennis

In an interview with WTA in 2022, Lys made a surprising confession. “I was always very interested in medicine — biology was one of my best subjects,” she said. She revealed she had “many open doors” but she ultimately focused on her professional tennis career.

Apart from professional commitments, Lys considers herself a “pretty relaxed person.” However, she, like any other player, experiences moments of anxiety ahead of the big matches. And it’s her friends who help her deal with the pressure. Lys often chills with her friends and has even gained a reputation for her impressive truffle pasta making skills.

Eva Lys’ journey in the sport has been inspirational. Her laid-back personality and hunger for success make a unique combination. As she faces a big test in the fourth round of the Australian Open today, her parents Vladimir and Maria will be keenly watching her, wishing for her success. Do you think the German pro can pull off an upset by beating the former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek? Let us know in the comments below.