Eva Lys says it is key to find the right balance in managing her workload with an immune disorder she has after sealing her place in the second round of the French Open.
The German world No.59 produced an emphatic 6-0, 6-3, win over 28th seed Peyton Stearns in her opening match at Roland Garros. Lys is playing in the main draw for the second time in her career. In her debut 12 months ago, she was beaten in three sets by Caroline Garcia.
Lys’ victory comes during what has been a breakthrough year for the 23-year-old who didn’t win a main draw match at any major until the Australian Open in January where she reached the fourth round as a lucky loser. However, since Melbourne, she has only won back-to-back main draw matches at one event which was a WTA 125 in La Bisbal, Spain.
Besides battling on the court, Lys also has to manage her health. She was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis in 2020 but didn’t publicly speak about the disorder until March last year. Spondyloarthritis is a condition that affects the spine and other joints. Inflammation, pain, swelling, fatigue and even a fever are all possible symptoms of the illness.
“I had a variety of symptoms, but they didn’t come at the same time so we didn’t really know,” Lys said of how she coped before getting a diagnosis.
“I have my doctor back home in Hamburg. He’s been with me since I was 10 years old. I wouldn’t be able to play tennis without him.
“He had this theory that it might be going into the arthritis, spondyloarthritis, direction. As soon as I heard it, I was just laughing about it. I’m pretty young, I didn’t think it was going to be me.”
So when she was informed she had the condition, coming to terms with it wasn’t easy. During what she describes as the ‘tough’ first months of dealing with her health, Lys credits the support of her friends and family for helping her through.
Now at the highest ranking of her career, Lys admits she faces limitations that other players don’t have. However, this doesn’t deter her.
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve just had days where my body was not doing what it’s supposed to,” she said.
“Even like preparing here (for the French Open), maybe one or two practices less, ’cause it’s something I have to do.
“But I know that if I give my body time, it recovers. The next day I’m stronger than ever. I just need to find the right balance with regeneration and the practice process.”
Lys will play Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko in the second round.
