AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2025

Eva Lys

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/E. Lys

6-0, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: The Australian Open has been an incredible journey for you. How do you reflect on your tournament?

EVA LYS: It's definitely I think the nicest week I've had in my life just because it wasn't really only about the result, but also about the whole story. I mean, getting in as a Lucky Loser last minute on the last day where it was possible, changing the flights, winning first time, winning second time, making it to top 100, I mean, this is the week I've been working for for ages.

I was always waiting for that moment. I've had a lot of nights where I was actually talking to my parents, often with tears, asking, When will the time come? Because I know I have the potential, but sometimes I was the only person that's really standing in my own way.

Everything just came down to this week where on one side it's definitely the tennis I played, but also it was the luck in the beginning. It was just the momentum that made it so special. So I'm definitely enjoying every second I had here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Eva, could you talk us through how the match went tonight, and particularly that moment in the second set where you got on the scoreboard?

EVA LYS: I would say I definitely had fun today. I didn't really have fun with the score. It was definitely very humbling in the first set, because after I was up in the first game 40-15, I had my chances, and I tried to go for the point but made an easy mistake.

I think I was always asking myself what would happen if I made the first break, but yeah, after that she started playing amazing. She didn't do any mistakes. She didn't even let me take a breath.

I don't know. There's a saying in German, like, she overran me like a train. I didn't really have time to find my game, which was a little bit frustrating, but I tried to just, tried to keep my smile.

In the second set, I tried to do it all over again. I was trying to find my game. I was trying to break her. She had a couple of moments where she started shaking a little bit, and I think that's where I made the first game.

Really amazing audience. I mean, I enjoyed every second on Rod Laver. I had a lot of people cheering for me. It was definitely special. I mean, they love an underdog, so for me not getting bageled by her is a good beginning, but obviously, a lot to work on.

I think playing against a player like that, you realize that it doesn't matter how well the week is going, there's still a lot of work to do. There's still a lot of things to improve. Looking back at the match, I'm seeing a lot of mistakes that I did that I could have done better. Especially in the right moments, I didn't have the right tactic.

Obviously it's a little tough since it's the first time on Rod Laver, but yeah, I'm taking this as an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun with the audience, with the fans, and it was an amazing week. Not the best way to end it, but definitely the best experience to do it with.

Q. If I could also ask you, you've been wearing your Ukraine flag on your hat. Elina Svitolina made some comments about her motivations for Ukraine today. You've spoken in the past about relations between Russia and other players who support Ukraine. How are relations on the tour right now?

EVA LYS: I wouldn't want to comment on that question.